China to send troops to Russia for joint week-long military drills

Beijing says its participation in Vostok exercises unrelated' to current events and part of ongoing cooperation with Moscow

Chinese troops will travel to Russia for large military exercises amid heightened tensions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The joint exercises in Russia's far east, which will include India, Belarus, Mongolia, Tajikistan and other countries, are held every four years. But the week-long manoeuvres will be presented by Russia as a symbol of international support despite sanctions and other efforts to isolate the country due to its war with Ukraine.