A Chinese military delegation arrived on Saturday to Siberia to attend large-scale Vostok-2010 military exercises, the press service of the Siberian military district said.
The Russian Armed Forces started on Tuesday large-scale Vostok-2010 military exercises in Siberia and the country's Far East. The drills, which involve at least 20,000 troops, up to 70 warplanes and 30 warships, will continue through July 8.
"The Chinese delegation will attend a key phase of the Vostok-2010 drills at the Tsugol training grounds," the press service said in a statement.
According to the statement, the Chinese officials will be presented with a general overview of the Vostok-2010 exercises and observe a river crossing practice performed by Russian troops.
Russia and China are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) - a regional security body, which also includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
SCO member countries maintain close military ties and regularly conduct joint military exercises.
Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, stressed on Monday that the drills were not aimed against any one country.
Russia holds Vostok strategic command-and-staff exercises every two years. More than 8,000 troops took part in Vostok-2008.
CHITA, July 3 (RIA Novosti)
