ASEAN, China kick off first maritime exercise
(VOVWORLD) - The first-ever maritime exercise held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China started Monday in the southern Chinese city of Zhanjiang.
 A Chinese guided missile destroyer (Photo: thedefensepost.com) |
At the opening ceremony, Singapore's Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, said the region's prosperity is underpinned by a stable and secure sea. Both sides need to support international law, and boost cooperation, he said, adding that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea are examples that enhance communication and reduce the risk of miscalculation.
At a Sunday meeting with heads of the ASEAN observation groups, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said the joint drill is an important milestone in the relationship between China and ASEAN, which reflects mutual trust and a determiniation to maintain regional peace and stability.