China, ASEAN conclude maritime drill

Naval forces from China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations wrapped up their first joint maritime exercise over the weekend, with representatives of the participating countries expressing their hope for more such drills in the future.

Eight ships, three helicopters, five observers and more than 1,200 naval personnel from China and all 10 ASEAN countries participated in the on-shore activities and exchanges and drills at sea in ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise-2018 from October 22 through Sunday.

The eight-ship fleet conducted various drills in waters east of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, including search and rescue operations and medical evacuation drills with helicopters landing on other ships.