Large-Scale Russian-Chinese Maneuvers to Be Conducted in China

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) – In the second half of 2005, Russia and China plan to conduct large-scale military maneuvers on the Chinese territory, the Russian Defense Ministry press service announced.

"For the first time in history, Russia and China will conduct large-scale joint military exercises in which Russia will not deploy a large number of military personnel but rather a variety of modern combat vehicles, warships, aviation, including strategic, and submarines," a press service spokesperson told RIA Novosti.

He said that the maneuvers would not be conducted near the borders with neighboring countries. The development of detailed plans and schedules for upcoming maneuvers is under way.

The Russian Defense Ministry sources also announced that the ministry is developing a plan of combat training for the Russian Armed Forces in the near future. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, priority is given to cooperation in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. In 2005, Russia plans to conduct joint military maneuvers with Tajikistan.

Speaking about international cooperation, the defense ministry spokesperson noted that the Russia-NATO Council is developing a plan for joint maneuvers. In particular, the sides envision joint Russian-French navy maneuvers with deployment of strategic nuclear forces.

In addition, the sides plan to conduct joint actions in the Mediterranean with participation of the U.S. Armed Forces and troops from non-NATO countries.

Also, the Russian Defense Ministry does not exclude a possibility of joint military exercises with Germany. The ministry’s spokesperson underlined that this issue would be discussed during the visit of the Russian Defense Minister to Germany.