Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) Mainland China yesterday staged its largest maritime exercises off the coast of Shanghai, with South Korea and Japan taking part.
For many political analysts, the participation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force "is an important sign of cooperation" between Beijing and Tokyo after the tensions generated by Japan's historic revisionism.
More than 600 staff and observers, 31 vessels and five planes took part in the 90-minute operation near Yangshan deep-water port. Two helicopters from Hong Kong also took part.
The Ministry of Communications and the China Sea Search and Rescue Centre co-ordinated the drill, which involved practising measures to rescue sailors, fight fires, contain oil spills and thwart a terrorist attack.
"The purpose is to strengthen exchanges among us and learn from each other about our experience so as to strengthen co-operation with the relevant countries," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
The exercise was also aimed at improving understanding between the mainland and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after both sides agreed last year to co-operate on maritime safety.
ASEAN, which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, took part as observers, along with the United States and Russia.
"We face great challenges in the areas of sea transportation safety and pollution control," said Xu Zuyuan, general commander of the exercise.
Japan's 1,200-tonne vessel Satsuma joined a fleet parade and its crew exchanged views with mainland maritime officials.
A South Korean coat guard ship was also present.
The 45-strong Japanese crew was paying a return call after a mainland patrol boat took part in exercises organised by Japan's coastguard last year.
