The warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet that will take part in the joint exercises with China left Vladivostok for China on Sunday, according to the Itar-Tass News Agency.

These ships include BDK-11 large landing ship, the Marshal Shaposhnikov large anti-sub ship and the Burny destroyer, a source in the Pacific Fleet press center was quoted as saying.

The first-ever joint exercises conducted by Russia and China will be held on August 18-25, and its first phase is scheduled for August 18-19 on territory of the Far Eastern military district.

Chiefs of Russian and Chinese Staffs will gather in Vladivostok for consultations.

The second phase is planned for August 20-22 on the Chinese territory. There will be a shooting training on August 23-25, and the Russian and Chinese defense ministers will watch it.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2005)