ANKARA

China and the Philippines on Wednesday conducted joint military exercises on “search and rescue and combating fire at sea” in the waters of Philippine’s capital Manila, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. 

The exercise aims to “exercise interoperability” and “strengthen the capabilities of coast guards of two countries in responding to such crises,” the coastal guard said in a statement on its official website.

The maritime drills have been conducted as part of the China Coast Guard's week-long port call in Manila.

A Chinese coast guard vessel arrived in Philippines on Tuesday for the first time in its history.

During the four-day friendly visit, both countries coast guard officials will hold talks on “communication protocols, search and rescue, and the possibility of conducting joint exercises on maritime security”, the statement said.

The two sides will also exchange their best practices on maritime affairs and law enforcement, it stressed.

The visit aims to “strengthen understanding, mutual trust, and cooperation” between the coast guards of two countries and targets to develop maritime security and maritime law enforcement in the West Philippine Sea, the statement added.