China and Russia launched joint naval exercises Sunday in the Yellow Sea between the east coast of mainland China and the Korean peninsula.

Sixteen Chinese surface vessels and two submarines as well as four Russian warships will take part in the six days of drills.

The exercises will include maritime air defense, anti-submarine tactics, search-and-rescue and the simulated rescue of hijacked ships and anti-terrorism drills.

Once Cold War foes, China and Russia have conducted four bilateral and multilateral military exercises since 2005.

The two countries are also participants in six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program that also include the two Koreas, Japan and the U.S.