MOSCOW Alex Sandro Jersey , Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The last batch of scheduled exercises in the second phase of the 2017 China-Russia Joint Sea Drills was completed in the Okhotsk Sea near Russia's Far East Federal District on Monday.
Starting in the morning, Chinese and Russian commanders simulated joint rescues of ships hijacked by pirates and ships in distress, and later in the afternoon, fleets of the two sides held a farewell ceremony after the completion of both exercises.
During the entire week-long drills, major Chinese and Russian fleets conducted a string of highly challenging joint operations, including air defense, anti-submarine and anti-fleet actions as well as maritime search and rescue.
"With the common goal of guarding the security and stability of the world ocean, the Russian and Chinese navies, through the 2017 Joint Sea Drills, have achieved new progress in coordinating actions and promoting communication levels," said Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy, Vice Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, in the closing ceremony on Monday.
The 2017 Joint Sea Drills, involving four major fleets of China and Russia, were divided into two stages and held separately. The first part was conducted in the Baltic Sea on July 21-28, with the aim of carrying out joint rescue missions and ensuring maritime economic activities.
"Covering a wider territory and more in-depth exercises, and along with more standardized implementation and proficient use of information systems, the 2017 Joint Sea Drills signify that China and Russia have reached a new high level in conducting joint maritime drills," said Tian Zhong, Deputy Commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy.
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GENEVA， Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 345，676 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe since January this year， a significant drop from 2015's entries over the same period， the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Friday.
""Some 171，463 people have arrived in Greece and 168，579 in Italy during 2016，"" IOM said in a statement， adding that a further 5，445 and 189 had landed in Spain and Cyprus respectively.
""The total is well below the number of arrivals at this point in 2015， by which time 883，393 migrants and refugees had made the journey，"" it added.
While the number of migrant sea entries is significantly lower this year， the number of deaths is much higher.
According to latest IOM statistics， 4，663 individuals have drowned attempting to reach European Union shores by sea this year， up from the 3，574 men， women and children who were reported drowned over the same period in 2015.
By far the deadliest this year， the central Mediterranean passage linking North Africa with Italy has claimed the lives of 4，172 people.
A further 429 individuals have perished on the eastern Mediterranean route， while 62 have died on western Mediterranean passages.
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LA RIOJA, Argentina, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Polish rider died of unknown causes during his race, said Dakar organizers on Tuesday.
Michal Hernik died during the third stage of the race between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, the organizers said.
He was found dead about 300 meters from the track after his tracker stopped sending a signal and a helicopter was sent to look for him.
Hernik showed no signs of an accident.
It was the first time Hernik participated in the race. His death is the first in this year's Dakar rally and the fifth since the rally was moved to South America over security concerns in the Sahara desert and the 24th overall since the race was created in 1979.
FUZHOU, July 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 3,100 people have been evacuated as eastern China's Fujian Province braces for the impact of Typhoon Nesat.
Fujian meteorological station said Nesat, which make landfall in Taiwan Saturday evening, might land in the form of a typhoon or strong tropical storm in Fujian early Sunday.
By Saturday noon, over 3,100 women, children and elderly had taken to the shore from fish farms, the provincial flood control headquarters said.
In Songfeng Village administered by Putian City, Wu Jinxi, head of the village committee, helped evacuate residents.
"Don't come back until you are informed. Just let me know if you have difficulty taking care of your mum at the relocation center," Wu told villager Liu Guoxiang, who was about to temporarily leave his 60-year-old home with his 93-year-old mother.
On Saturday, Nesat, the ninth typhoon this year, was traveling at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour in a northwest direction, packing gusts of wind up to 144 kilometers an hour.
The station said the 10th typhoon had been also formed and was expected to land late Sunday or early next Monday in central to northern Fujian.
The authority warned of torrential rain from Saturday through to next Wednesday due to the impact of dual typhoons. Rain is forecast to be over 500 millimeters in some areas.
China's State Oceanic Administration Friday issued this year's first orange alert for ocean waves off the east coast ahead of Typhoon Nesat.
The administration ordered vessels in affected waters to return to port, personnel to evacuate and related departments to close beach entertainment facilities.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, nearly 1,300 fishing boats have returned to harbours, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.
At ports of Xiamen City, rescue ships and helicopters are standing by.
The dual typhoons have disrupted traffic in Fujian, forcing all ferry services, 129 train services and 70 inbound and outbound flights at the Fuzhou airport to be canceled.
China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Xi honors military officers, unit ahead of Army Day<.