Russian marines await orders on a beach in east China's Shandong Province. The Sino-Russian joint military exercises enter a third phase involving combat maneuvers today, ranging from offshore blockades to amphibious landings. - Xinhua

The second-phase of the Sino-Russian joint military exercise ended yesterday afternoon, to be followed by combat maneuvers starting today, Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
The upcoming three-day third phase of the war games will cover three military tactics, including offshore blockade, amphibious landing and forcible separation.
The "Peace Mission 2005" joint military drill, an unprecedented event involving 10,000 servicemen from both China and Russia, was launched in the Russian port city of Vladivostok on Thursday.
The exercises moved to China the following day.
Airborne troops from both armies will start the third-phase of the live-ammunition exercise, which is playing out in Shandong.
Chinese officer Li Fengbiao said paratroopers from the two forces have taken part in several joint training exercises.
They carried out their first joint jump rehearsal on Saturday, with several IL-76 air freighters dropping parachutists and battle vehicles.
Supported by airborne firepower, the two forces massed rapidly after landing and carried out mock attacks against set targets.
"Though the two forces speak different languages, their cooperation was well coordinated," said a Russian journalist surnamed Ostroumova.
Many of the Russian journalists who came to cover the exercise were making their first trip to China.
Curious about all daily items used by Chinese soldiers, they were busy shooting still photos and video shots.
"They have a sound mentality, and they are strictly managed, which is similar to our own troops," said a journalist named Droggin, who works for a Russian military journal.
What confused the Russian journalists most was the Chinese soldiers and officers having dinner in the same tent.
"We officers and soldiers eat, life and work together," explained a Chinese officer.
"In this way, we can improve the exchange between soldiers and officers."