BEIJING: Malaysia and China would hold a joint military exercise from the middle to late September in the Straits of Malacca and its surrounding area, said the Chinese Defence Ministry, Thursday.
The joint exercise will be the first between both armed forces. Some 1,160 Chinese participants were expected to take part in it, Xinhua news agency quoted the ministry’s spokesperson Yang Yujun as saying.
Codenamed “Peace and Friendship 2015“, the exercise would include joint escort, joint search and rescue, saving hijacked vessels, use of weapons, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, it said.
“Two Chinese destroyer-frigates, one hospital ship, four transport aircraft and three shipboard helicopters will be involved in the exercise,” Xinhua quoted Yang as saying.
A joint command post would be set up by both sides to coordinate the air, land and sea forces, it said.
The military drill is aimed at cementing the China-Malaysia all-round strategic partnership, enhancing bilateral military exchanges, improving capabilities to address security threats, and jointly safeguarding regional maritime security. – BERNAMA