15:07 GMT, March 30, 2012 BEIJING | China and Russia will carry out a joint navy exercise between April and May, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, according to Xinhua.

The military drill will take place based on a consensus reached between Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Russian military leaders, spokesman Yang Yujun said at a monthly press briefing.

The two sides are preparing for the joint exercise, which is aimed at deepening the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, Yang said.

"It's also designed to improve both countries' abilities to cope with challenges and safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," Yang said.

Since 2005, China and Russia have conducted several joint military exercises within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. (Xinhua)