Russia and China are holding joint naval exercises this week.

Russia and China will hold joint naval exercises from December 21 to 27, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The joint naval drills, which have been held annually since 2012, will include missile and artillery fires in the East China Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Moscow has sought to increase its political, security and economic ties with Beijing and sees Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a key ally in an anti-Western alliance.

The two countries signed a "

" strategic partnership just days before Moscow launched its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Russia said four of its ships would take part in the drills - including the missile cruiser Varyag - while six Chinese ships would take part, along with planes and helicopters from both sides.

The Russian ships left the port of Vladivostok in the Far East on Monday to take part in the week-long exercises, which begin on Wednesday.