Meng Xiangqing, deputy director of the Strategic Research Institute of the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army, told Xinhua News Agency that there are three highlights to the China-Russia joint naval drill this year:

China's F8 fighters will participtate in the China-Russia joint naval drill.

1. Large-scale exercise: China and Russia deployed 25 different ship variants, 13 aircraft, 9 helicopters and 2 special forces units to participate in the joint drill. This was one of a series of large-scale China-Russia joint naval drills in recent years. Advanced warships involved in the drills include China's guided missile destroyer "Harbin" and Russia's Pacific Fleet flagship Varyag.

2. Various subjects for practical training: The exercise focuses on "joint maritime air defense and defense of marine traffic arteries". It determines the defensive nature of the drill which, in turn, will have a positive influence on safeguarding and maintaining the security and stability of the region. The drill includes subjects of joint anti-terror and anti-submarine tactics, joint escort, maritime search and rescue and joint effort to recover hijacked vessels. Such trainings will help the forces of the two countries improve their ability to carry out various tasks.

3. Naval review, exchanges and discussion: The drill is conducted in four stages, including war-game planning, real weapon drills, naval review, exchanges and discussion. As there are a great number of different variants of ships and aircrafts attending the naval review, the scene undoubtedly impress, giving people a three-dimensional sensory experience. And at the exchange and discussion stage, Chinese and Russian navies, each at their own development periods, can learn from each other and summarize the achievements of the drill so as to lay a foundation for future cooperation.