In a press release, the ministry said the exercises, dubbed "Peace Mission 2005", will be carried out in Vladivostok in far eastern region of Russia and East China's Shandong Peninsular and nearby offshore seawaters.

    The exercises will involve nearly 100,000 troops from the armies, navies, air forces as well as airborne units, marine corps and logistic units of Chinese and Russian armed forces, said the press release.

    Chinese and Russian defense ministries signed a memorandum on conducting joint military exercises in July, 2004. The chiefs of the general staffs of Chinese and Russian armed forces will announce the commencement of the exercises in Vladivostok on Aug. 18.

    China and Russia have invited the defense ministers from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and representatives from SCO's observer countries to watch the joint exercises.

    The holding of the maneuvers is in line with the guideline of the UN Charter, and complies with the widely recognized international laws and the respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, said the press release.

    "The exercises neither aim at any third party nor concern with the interests of any third country," said the press release.

    The ministry said that the mission of the drills mainly aim to deepen Sino-Russian mutual trust, promote mutual friendship and enhance the cooperation and coordination of the two armed forces in the areas of defense and security.

    The joint exercises will also help strengthen the capability of the two armed forces in jointly striking international terrorism, extremism and separatism.

    Through the exercises, the two armed forces can improve their coordinated capabilities to handle crises and meet new challenges and threats, said the press release.