中俄將在東海聯合舉行海軍演習

China says it will hold joint naval exercises with Russia later this month in the East China Sea, where Beijing is involved in a territorial dispute with Japan.

A statement by China's Defense Ministry said the "regular exercises" would begin in late May off the coast of Shanghai, well north of the disputed area.

China and Japan have a longstanding quarrel over a series of uninhabited islands that are surrounded by vast natural resources and strategic shipping lanes.

The dispute worsened in 2012 after Japan purchased some of the islands. China responded by increasing patrols, challenging Tokyo's control of the area.

China also declared an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea. But Japan and the U.S. have ignored Beijing's demands that all foreign aircraft identify themselves before entering the zone.中國說，本月晚些時候將與俄羅斯在東海聯合舉行海軍演習。北京在東海與日本存在領土爭端。

中國國防部發表聲明說，這次例行演習將於5月底展開。演習地點是離開爭議地區較遠的北部，靠近上海附近海域。

中日兩國長期以來圍繞東海一組無人居住的島嶼存在領土爭端。這些島嶼周邊海域自然資源豐富，具有戰略意義的航道也經過該海域。

日本2012年將一些有爭議島嶼國有化，導致中日領土爭端升級。中國方面採取相應措施，加緊在該海域巡邏，對東京的控制權發出挑戰。

此外，中國在東海設立了防空識別區。中國規定，外國飛機在進入該區域之前必須向中方通報身份，但日本和美國無視中國的這一要求