Russia: Chinese naval ships dock in Baltic ahead of Joint Sea 2017 drills

Three Chinese navy vessels docked in the Baltiysk military port in Kaliningrad Oblast, Friday, ahead of the 'Joint Sea 2017' drills in Baltic Sea. 

Vessels that will represent China in the drills include the Changsha missile destroyer, the Yuncheng missile frigate and the Luoma Lake comprehensive supply ship. For the drills, the Russian navy will deploy its latest class corvettes - Stregushchiy and Boiky. In addition, both sides will also deploy a dozen aircraft and helicopters.

SOT, Alexander Fedotenkov, Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy (Russian): "We've worked out our cooperation in the Yellow and the Japanese Seas, in the Black and the Mediterranean, in the Eastern-Chinese Sea and in the Southern-Chinese Sea. And now, for the first time, we'll carry out joint drills here at the Baltic Sea." 

SOT, Alexander Fedotenkov, Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy (Russian): "For the first time ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China sailed for more than 40 days to come here. For the first time sailors of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China will take part in the celebration of Russia's Navy Day in our maritime capital [St. Petersburg]."