Russian warships in China for joint exercise

Beijing, April 21 (IANS) A Russian naval fleet has arrived in China Saturday for a joint exercise with the Chinese Navy in the Yellow Sea next week.

Four warships and three supply ships from the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet reached the Qingdao base in eastern Shandong province for the exercise April 22-27, Xinhua reported.

According to China's defence ministry, the exercise will focus on joint maritime air defence, anti-submarine tactics, maritime search and rescue as well as joint effort to rescue hijacked vessels.

The Chinese Navy will send 16 surface vessels, including destroyers, frigates, support and hospital ships, and two submarines to participate in the drill.