Reflecting their deepened military cooperation, the navies of China and Russia will hold their first ever joint landing drills during a large-scale naval exercise later this month in the Sea of Japan. This will be their largest joint Pacific exercise and will be held from August 20 to 28, 2015. According to the plan, phase II of 'Joint Sea Exercise 2015' will be held in both the Sea of Japan and off the coast of Russian region of Primorsky - about 250 miles away from Japan. Chinese Military commentator Song Xiaojun said the location of the exercise is of strategic significance."The situation in the Sea of Japan has become volatile especially after US President Barack Obama announced the so-called Return to Asia plan three years ago and enhanced assistance to Japan. Taking into account Japan's latest move to lift the ban on the right to collective defense that strengthens the Japan-US alliance and Russia-US confrontation in East Europe, tensions in the sea area may escalate. Meanwhile, the area neighbors Russia's sparsely-populated Far East and China's northeast that is undergoing rejuvenation, so both China and Russia want to enhance defense there." 20 large fighting ships in addition to numerous support vessels are to take part in the exercises.