China and Russia have started their large-scale naval drills dubbed “Joint Sea 2017” in the Baltic Sea. The exercises will involve jets, helicopters and vessels.

A Chinese naval fleet reaches Russia's Baltic city of Kaliningrad on July 21, 2017, ready for a joint drill with Russia scheduled in the Baltic Sea in late July. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The Chinese Navy is represented by one of its most advanced missile destroyers, the Hefei, as well as missile frigate Yuncheng and the Luomahu supply ship. CGTN’s Daria Bondarchuk reported the two countries want to increase cooperation and efficiency in protecting security at sea.

An opening ceremony of China-Russia naval exercise is held in Russia's Baltic city, on July 22, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Sun Juan]

According to the report, the naval forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army arrived in Russia on Friday. A welcoming ceremony was held in Baltiysk in northern Russia. The Chinese and the Russian navies are set to hold a series of drills as part of the "Joint Sea 2017" exercise program. A dozen vessels of different classes, as well as some 10 aircraft and helicopters from both sides are scheduled to take part in the first leg of the drills throughout next week.

The Joint Sea naval exercises were held for the first time in 2012. This year they will stretch into autumn. In September the second phase of the navy drills will begin in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.