The Chinese navy's spokesperson Liang Yang says the "Joint Sea-2016" exercise includes surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne helicopters and marines from both sides.
"Chinese and Russian participants will undertake defense, rescue, and anti-submarine operations, in addition to joint island seizing and other activities."
The marine corps, in particular, will carry out live-fire drills, sea crossing and island landing operations, and island defense and offense exercises.
The Chinese Navy says most of the Chinese troops involved come from the Chinese Navy's South China Sea Fleet.
"Compared to previous drills, this drill will deepen and expand in its form, content, command, deployment and so on, especially in practicality, informationization and standardization."
The joint naval drills were first announced in July.
However, the timing of the drills had been kept under wraps as the Russian and Chinese sides worked out organizational details.
They come just a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin went on-record following the G20 in Hangzhou in support of China's position toward bilateral negotiations to solve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The Russian side is also standing behind the Chinese position that outside influences or arbitration on the issues will not be helpful.
The new naval drills are being described by both sides as "routine," with Chinese officials saying the exercises are designed to strengthen cooperation, and are not aimed at any other country.
China and Russia have previously held joint military drills in the Sea of Japan and in the Mediterranean.
