WPNS multinational exercise begins in East China

A multinational maritime exercise has begun in the waters off East China coast. The drills are a part of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, a two day meeting which concludes today in the eastern city of Qingdao. It's also been timed to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The exercise, called "Sea Cooperation 2014", is focused on improving joint maritime search and rescue missions. Chinese warships, supply ships, a hospital ship, helicopters and marines are taking part in the two-day exercise. Naval vessels from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Brunei are also involved, having spent the last two days moored in Qingdao during the Symposium.

Exercises will include naval communication, formation maneuvers, replenishment at-sea, and the recovery of hijacked ships.