Chinese navy to hold joint patrol with Vietnam

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy will hold a joint patrol with the Vietnamese navy in the Beibu Gulf next month, a Chinese official said Thursday.

The joint patrol, scheduled for the first ten days of the month, will include drills on communication and joint rescue, Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference.

Stressing that China places great importance on military relations with Vietnam, Wu said that China is willing to jointly maintain stability and order in the Beibu Gulf and develop healthy and stable bilateral military relations.

The upcoming patrol will be the 23rd of its kind.