Russian and Chinese forces are wrapping up the second phase of joint military exercises as they prepare for live-fire drills to begin Tuesday in eastern China's Shandong Peninsula.
Nearly 10,000 troops from land, sea, and air forces of both nations are participating in the first-ever large-scale war games between the two countries.
The China Daily newspaper says the third phase of the eight-day exercise, dubbed "Peace Mission 2005," will involve firing with live ammunition by warplanes and military vessels as part of an amphibious landing on the Shandong peninsula.
The joint maneuvers began in the Russian port city of Vladivostok Thursday.
The United States is not attending as an observer, but says it is closely monitoring the drills.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
