China, Malaysia to hold joint military drill

BEIJING - China and Malaysia will hold a joint military exercise from mid-to-late September in the Malacca Strait and its surrounding area, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday.

Spokesman Yang Yujun said the drill, codenamed "Peace and Friendship 2015", will include joint escort, joint search and rescue, saving hijacked vessels, use of weapon, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

This will be the first joint drill between the two armed forces, Yang said, adding that 1,160 Chinese participants, two Chinese destroyer-frigates, one hospital ship, four transportation aircraft and three shipboard helicopters will be involved in the exercise.

The two sides will set up a joint command post to coordinate the air, land and sea forces, according to the spokesman.

The military drill aims to cement the China-Malaysia all-round strategic partnership, enhance bilateral military exchanges, improve capabilities to address security threats, and jointly safeguard regional maritime security, Yang said.