BEIJING -- A train echelon of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has departed for Russia for the International Army Games 2019 starting Aug 3, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily reported Thursday.

The echelon left Manchuria, a city in North China's Inner Mongolian autonomous region, on July 14, marking the start of the cross-border railway transportation guarantee mission.

After changing trains at a station in Russia, it will unload at five stations in the country, according to the newspaper.

The cross-border railway delivery mission runs nearly 11,000 km and lasts for more than 20 days.

The train echelon is made up of military equipment and technical support personnel participating in five contests of the games.

The International Army Games 2019 will be held in 10 countries including China, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.