BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia began their first joint military exercises on Thursday aimed at boosting cooperation between the former adversaries and sending a message to the United States about their growing influence
Both countries say "Peace Mission 2005", which involves 10,000 troops and army, navy and air force exercises, is aimed at building ties between their militaries.
Russia and China also see common ground in Central Asia, both in trying to ensure political turmoil in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan does not spill into their borders and in checking the U.S. presence in the region.
In July, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional security forum grouping China and Russia with the Central Asian states, told U.S.-led troops to fix a date for their departure from military bases in the region.
That, along with the fact observers from other SCO countries will be at the war games, is further fuelling theories they are intended to send a message to Washington.
The United States said the exercises supported a shared goal of regional stability, but added a word of caution.
The exercises are taking place in the Russian Pacific near Vladivostok and in the Chinese coastal province of Shandong and run through August 25.
THE FULL REPORTSome Pictures of the Joint excercise:
China Airborne unit
Russian airborne unit
Russian navy fleet in China Qingdao port waiting to attend the exercise.
PLAN DDG168 waiting to attend the excercise
