China, Russia and Iran will hold a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman from December 27 to 30, China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday.

China will send the Xining, a guided missile destroyer, to the drill, according to Wu. The joint naval drill will be held to deepen cooperation among the three countries' navies.

The drill is a "normal military exchange" between the three armed forces and is in line with international law and practices, Wu told reporters.

It is not necessarily connected with the regional situation, the spokesperson added.

(Top image: File photo)