China and Russia are set to conduct a Navy drill the "Joint Sea-2014" from May 20th to 26th in the northern part of the East China Sea.

A Russian Pacific Fleet squadron, led by the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, sailed from Vladivostok on Wednesday.

The squadron, also including the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev, and the large amphibious ship Admiral Nevelskoy, passed through Tsushima Strait Friday, where they carried out an anti-piracy exercise.

The crew of Varyag honoured Russian sailors who died during the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese Navy in 1905.

The drills come as Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to arrive in Shanghai on an official visit to cement economic ties with China.

Chinese navy spokesman said earlier a total of 14 vessels, two submarines, nine fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and special forces from both countries will take part in the exercise.