Warships at the China-Russia naval exercise set sail on Thursday to operational waters as the drill entered the maritime operations phase.

The eight-day China-Russia Joint Sea 2016 drill, which started Monday, is being held in eastern waters off Zhanjiang, Guangdong's southernmost city, where the Chinese Navy's Nanhai Fleet is headquartered.

The warships were seen off on Thursday morning by the drill's directors from both sides - Wang Hai, deputy commander of the Chinese Navy and his Russian counterpart, Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Fedotenkov.

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

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, the Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov; the large amphibious ship, Peresvet; the sea towboat, Alatau and the tanker, Pechenga, are attending the drill.

During the first phase of land operations, both countries' marines engaged in multiple exercises, such as shooting drills and crossing barriers in simulated beachhead fights.