China and Russia plan to hold joint naval drills in the East Sea, the water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, in September, a media report said Friday.

If confirmed, the drills would demonstrate deepening ties between Russia and China at a time when most of the world is against Moscow for its alleged support of separatist rebels in Ukraine.

Citing Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, the website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television reported that Russia and China will begin the joint naval drills in the East Sea in early September, when Beijing is scheduled to hold a military parade to mark victory over Japanese forces in the second world war.

Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a massive military parade in Moscow celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Most Western leaders shunned the Moscow event because of the crisis in Ukraine.

China has said Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the September military parade in Beijing. (Yonhap)