Chinese and Russian warships on Tuesday left a naval base in the eastern Chinese harbor city of Qingdao to start a joint exercise in the Yellow Sea.

The Chinese navy's missile destroyer DDG-112 Harbin and other warships from both countries will rendezvous in the exercise waters and conduct a series of operation drills over the next two days.

According to the plan for the exercise, warships from the two navies will build up a maritime defense system and conduct joint air defense, anti-sub, supply, and search and rescue operations on Wednesday.

The warships will conduct joint operations on defending a maritime transport route and firing live ammunition at air, surface and underwater targets.

Vice Admiral Ding Yiping, general director for the joint exercise from the Chinese side, said the exercise will test the combat capabilities of both navies and improve their coordination and cooperation ability.

The Russian warships, including the flagship of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet, the Slava class guided missile cruiser Varyag, arrived in Qingdao on Saturday.

Both sides have conducted several joint table exercises at headquarters since April 22.