The Chinese and Russian navies will begin a weeklong joint military exercise on Wednesday in the waters near East China, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday morning.

The ministry said in a news release that the Joint Sea 2022 military drill, which was arranged according to an annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries, would be conducted in the waters east of Zhoushan and Taizhou, two cities in East China's Zhejiang province.

"The joint exercise aims to demonstrate the determination and capability of the two sides to jointly respond to maritime security threats and to maintain international and regional peace and stability," the ministry said, noting that it would further deepen the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.