The first-ever joint drill on computer-aided missile defense between China and Russia are scheduled to be held this month. The exercises will simulate missile attacks on the two countries and joint counterattacks.

The joint drill marks an initial exploration of anti-missile cooperation by Beijing and Moscow, but its significance is by no means confined to the symbolic level.

Given that anti-missile systems are closely related to a country's strategic security and core interests and that air defense and anti-missile interceptions involve the use of the most advanced technologies, information in this area is usually only shared among allies. Without mutual trust, it would be very difficult for two countries to be fully open with each other about their missile defense systems.