ZHANJIANG, Guangdong, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand's naval forces launched a joint training exercise at a military port in Zhanjiang of south China's Guangdong Province Thursday morning.

A total of 13 naval vessels from China and Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Brunei, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, steam in formation in the waters off Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, during the maritime maneuver phase of the China-Southeast Asian countries joint naval exercise on April 26, 2019. (File photos: eng.chinamil.com.cn)

During the week-long program, Chinese and Thai forces will exercise shooting, grappling, helicopter rappelling and combat tactics at the port area during the first four days, while the follow-up maritime exercise will focus on more than 10 subjects including communication, replenishment-at-sea, joint rescue and amphibious landing.

Various frigates from both sides and the Chinese landing ship Wuzhishan will participate in the training.

The joint training, which does not target any third party, aims to improve friendly and pragmatic cooperation between the two naval forces and enhance their capability to cope with maritime security threats, said an official statement.

Paisan Meesri, commander of Thai participating forces, said the exercise will strengthen the capability in safeguarding maritime security, and is expected to enhance mutual trust and communication between the two naval forces.

His Chinese counterpart, Huang Fengzhi, also noted that the program will further deepen the friendship and mutual trust, and lay a solid foundation for jointly fulfilling diversified tasks and international obligations. 

Cover image: A total of 13 naval vessels from China and Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Brunei, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, steam in formation in the waters off Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, during the maritime maneuver phase of the China-Southeast Asian countries joint naval exercise on April 26, 2019.