China, Russia to hold computer-simulated anti-missile drill

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Chinese and Russian militaries will hold a joint anti-missile drill based on computer simulations from December 11 to 16, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on its website on Friday.

The command-and-staff exercise, code-named Aerospace Security-2017, will be the second of such kind held by the two countries. The first drill, Aerospace Security-2016, was held at the scientific research center of Russian Aerospace Defense Forces in May last year.

The main purpose of the six-day exercise is to improve the capability of the two countries, in dealing with accidental and provocative ballistic and cruise missile strikes on the two countries' territories through holding drills of joint air defense and anti-missile defense operations.

The Chinese naval fleet attending the China-Russia "Joint Sea-2017" military exercises docks at the port in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 18, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The exercise does not target any third party, according to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.

The ministry announced the plan to hold the second joint drill later this year at a regular press briefing on October 26.

"Chinese and Russian militaries have been in close collaboration this year. We will continue working together to further bilateral relations," the ministry's spokesman Ren Guoqiang said.

In 2017, the military collaboration between China and Russia included strategic discussions, briefings on anti-missile issues as well as maritime military drills, according to the spokesman.