Alwaght- Russia and China are planning to hold the second "Aerospace Security" computerized staff-command exercise in the Chinese capital Beijing on Dec. 11-16.
According to a statement issued Friday by China's Defense Ministry, the two militaries will carry out joint drills on the preparation, command, and firepower coordination of air-defense and anti-missile operations.
"The main goal of the exercise aims at protecting the two countries' territories from accidental or provocative strikes by ballistic and guided missiles," it added.
The ministry also said the drill was not directed against a third country. The first joint exercise between the countries was held in May 2016.
China and Russia have both expressed concern over the deployment of the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea, which Seoul and Washington say is needed to defend against the threat of North Korean missiles.
China, along with Russia, has repeatedly expressed opposition to the THAAD deployment, saying it will do nothing to help ease tension with North Korea.
China also is also concerned that THAAD’s powerful radar system can look deep into is territory, undermining its security.
China and Russia have close military and diplomatic ties, and they have repeatedly called for a peaceful, negotiated solution to the North Korea nuclear and missile crisis.
