China, ASEAN begin joint maritime exercise in Zhanjiang

The first maritime field training exercise between the navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong province on Oct 22.

The opening ceremony was jointly addressed by Singapore chief of navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong and Vice-Admiral Yuan Yubai, commander of the People Liberation Army Navy's Southern Theatre Command.

RADM Lew pointed out that the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea is one example of promoting practical cooperation and norms, adding that it enhances operational-level communication and reduces the risk of miscalculations.

According to Yuan, the joint maritime exercise is an important action to solidify the consensus reached between defense ministers of China and the ASEAN countries, and to deepen defense security cooperation and mutual trust.

The drill is of significance as it is not only the first time ASEAN has conducted a joint military drill with a single country, but also the first time the PLA has conducted a maritime drill with ASEAN, he said.

After the opening ceremony, observers, staff officers, naval officials and pilots from 11 countries attended the 1st planning meeting to map out the drill.

The drill will be conducted in three phases including harbor activities, maritime exercises and an exercise summary. It mainly involves the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, as well as joint maritime search and rescue operations.

On tap are multiple exchange activities such as discussions on military medication and diving work, demonstrations of how to rescue a man overboard and desktop tactics.