China and Russia will hold their first joint military exercises later this month.
The Chinese Defense Ministry says the exercises, which have been dubbed "Peace Mission 2005," will take place August 18 through the August 25 in the Russian city of Vladivostok and on China's coastal province of Shandong.
More than 10,000 troops from both nations armies, navies, marines and air forces will be involved.
The ministry says the goal of the exercises is to "deepen Sino-Russian trust" and improve their capability to fight international terrorism.
The exercises are a symbol of the improving ties between the once-bitter Cold War rivals, who are dealing with Muslim separatists in their respective countries.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
