State run media in both Russia and China are reporting that the largest naval exercise between the two nations will begin this week in the Pacific.

The operation, called Joint Sea 2015 II, will begin Thursday and run through August 28th in the Sea of Japan and off the coast of the Russian city of Vladivostok.  More than 20 naval vessels from the two nations will conduct “joint amphibious assault” drills.

The exercise will also include various air units including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

“A source close to the operation said navies of the two countries will join forces to simulate anti-submarine combat and air defense and other relevant missions. A joint beach landing of troops is also planned,” read a report in the Chinese state-controlled Xinhua news service.

“The source said the drills ‘are not targeted at any third party and are not relevant to regional status-quo’.”

The state run news outlets called the event part of “an annual exchange program between Chinese and Russian militaries.”

The exercise is the first time the Chinese navy will conduct joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, bordering North and South Korea, Russia and Japan.

In November 2014, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu admitted the exercises are in response to the United States.

“We believe that the main goal of pooling our effort is to shape a collective regional security system,” Shoigu said in November.  “We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the [Asia-Pacific Region].”