China, Russia conclude joint naval drill

QINGDAO - The Chinese and Russian navies announced on Friday the conclusion of a six-day joint naval exercise.

Vice-Admiral Ding Yiping, China's general director for the joint exercise, described the joint naval drill as a "complete success."

He said the two navies will further their efforts to promote the routinization of naval drills and deepen their cooperation.

A total of 16 surface ships, two submarines from the Chinese navy and seven Russian ships, led by the flagship Russian cruiser Varyag, participated in the war games.

The six-day maneuvers focused on joint maritime air defense and the defense of marine traffic arteries, with exercises involving joint escorts, marine search and rescue operations, anti-submarine tactics and anti-hijacking tactics.

Rear Admiral Leonid Sukhanov, Russia's general director for the drill, said that the two navies will further strengthen cooperation.

The Russian warships left for home Friday afternoon from a naval base in east China's coastal city of Qingdao.