China, ASEAN to hold maritime drill

BEIJING - China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have scheduled a joint maritime exercise to take place later this year, a Chinese ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

The purpose of the joint drill is to enhance mutual trust, expand exchange and cooperation, and safeguard regional peace and stability, said Wu Qian, spokesperson with the Ministry of National Defense.

The parties are currently working together to arrange the details, he said.

Wu also confirmed that lieutenant general Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, will head a border defense delegation to Pakistan and India in the near future.

Liu will meet and hold talks with the two countries' military leaders on topics including theater-level exchange, border management and control, as well as cooperation in border defense.