China, Singapore to conduct joint naval drill

BEIJING -- Naval forces of China and Singapore are scheduled to conduct a joint drill in waters near Singapore on Wednesday, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Joint operations of fleet rendezvous, communication, formation movement and joint salvage will be conducted as part of the drill, said Gao Xiucheng, a PLA Navy spokesperson.

The Chinese participants are from the PLA Navy's 36th escort fleet, which is currently in the relevant waters, the spokesperson added.

The joint exercise, conducted based on the two navies' consensus, aims to boost mutual trust, enhance friendship and cooperation and jointly promote the building of a maritime community of shared future, Gao said.