China and Russia are to hold their first joint military exercise, code-named "Peace Mission 2005", on 18 August, reports Chinese Defence Today.

The one-week exercise will be carried out in Vladivostok and east China's Shandong Peninsula and nearby offshore waters. This is also the first time that China allow so many foreign military personnel to enter its territory.

According to Chinese Defence Today, up to 10,000 troops, including 1,800 Russia troops, will take part in the exercise scheduled for 18- 25 August in Russia and China.

It is reported that the exercise will be held in three phases. Air force, navy, airborne and land troops from the two countries will be deployed. The exercise will be watched by defence ministers and observers from the member countries of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation.

A group of vessels from Russia's Pacific Fleet, including a submarine hunter, destroyer and major landing craft, arrived in the eastern Chinese port of Qingdao on Friday for unprecedented joint military manoeuvres.

Russia also began transferring troops of its air force to China on last Wednesday. Seven IL-76 military transport planes, carrying a reinforced company from the 76th airborne division and their military hardware, took off Wednesday.

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