Local residents in Zhanjiang visited a Russian anti-submarine warship and a Chinese destroyer on Wednesday amid the ongoing joint navy exercise.

The Russia's anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the Chinese destroyer Zhongshan were open to the public for the whole day, during which hundreds of local people boarded the two warships.

Zhang Xuejun, 69, told China Daily after visiting the Russian warship that he was glad to see the two countries joining hands to safeguard peace and stability.

"In the past decades, Russia has long been our teacher in military equipments, and nowadays, China's self-developed weapons have also become stronger and stronger," he said.

Zhang said that as a retired man, he would like to enjoy a peaceful life, and such peace and tranquility must be safeguarded by powerful national defense.

Yan Yushu, a 9-year-old girl who is studying in primary school, said that she could feel the China-Russia friendship "from the warm smiles of the Russian sailors".

"My dad told me that China and Russia are good friends," she said.

Ten Chinese Navy ships - destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines - are participating in the drill, as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armored equipment.

Russia's large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov, the large amphibious ship Peresvet, the sea towboat Alatau, and the tanker Pechenga will be part of the drill.

The drill will highlight real combat, digitization and standardization to promote naval cooperation.

Several procedures will be undertaken during the drill, including joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, landing, island-seizing, search and rescue, and weapon use.