Chinese naval fleet in India

A Chinese naval fleet which is formed by the Shenzhen missile destroyer and Weishanhu depot ship, arrived Monday morning for a three-day friendship visit to India.

The Chinese fleet will hold a joint military exercise in the respect of marine search and rescue with the Indian Navy.

It will be the first time for the Chinese navy to conduct joint military exercise with Indian navy in sea area under Indian jurisdiction.

The exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety of maritime trade and improving search and rescue coordination at sea.

In 2003, the navies of China and India held a naval exercise also in safety of maritime trade and improving search and rescue coordination off Shanghai, China.

Three Indian warships as well as aircraft and helicopters joined in the five-hour operation, Xinhua reports.

V.Y.