China's armed police force is joining Russia's National Guard in a counter-terrorism drill in Russia.

The drill, coded Cooperation-2016, was launched on Sunday. It will last for two weeks and be held in the Russian Oblasts of Smolenskaya and Moscow.

Liu Zhijun, leader of the Chinese troops attending the drill, said it was the third cross-country cooperation between China and Russia since Cooperation-2007 and Cooperation-2013, and would focus on specific technical and tactical issues in counter-terrorism operations.

Liu told China Central Television that many of the Russians taking part in?the drill had combat experience, and having members from both countries training together could quickly improve Chinese troops’ techniques and tactics.

China sent members of the commando units of Falcon and Snow Leopard to take part in the drill. Falcon and Snow Leopard are China's two leading counter-terrorism forces.

All the weapons used in the drill are provided by Russia, according to a report by China News Service.