GETTY Live-fire drills and landing operations will form part of the largest operation ever performed

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Live-fire drills and landing operations will form part of the largest operation ever performed together by the two countries. Among the activities being carried out is an "island seizing" operation which will raise fears in Washington that both military superpowers are readying themselves for conflict in the disputed waters close to China. The joint exercise also paves the way for China and Russia to establish a formal military partnership which would limit US influence in the region.

China and Russia have held similar views on many major issues including the crisis in Syria, putting them at odds with most major Western powers. Anti-submarine drills and a complex rescue operation will also be carried out this week as both nation's test their ability to respond to a naval attack. Joint Sea-2016 will feature surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne helicopters and commandos from both militaries.

The Torch Festival of China Sat, July 30, 2016 The Torch Festival of China is one of the main holidays of the Yi people of southwest China. People will burn torches, hold beauty contest and animal fighting competitions, play wrestling and pole climbing during the celebration of Torch Festival Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 14 The Torch Festival of China in pictures

China has insisted the exercises are not aimed at unsettling the US or any of its Asian neighbours who fear a military build-up by Beijing in the South China Sea. Officials said it was a "routine" drill which was first announced in July. But the US along with its allies, including the UK, have expressed concern about an escalation of tensions in the region that could spill over into a full blown hot or cold war.

GETTY China and Russia have held similar views on many major issues

GETTY Joint Sea-2016 will feature surface ships, submarines and fixed-wing aircraft

GETTY Officials said it was a “routine” drill which was first announced in July

China has repeatedly blamed the US for stoking tension in the region through its military patrols while Russia has sided with Beijing on the issue of military build up in the South China Sea. An arbitration court in The Hague ruled in July that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea and criticised its environmental destruction there. But China maintains its claims to a large chunk of the waters through which more than £3 trillion of trade moves annually, despite rival claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.