Naval forces from China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded a joint maritime drill in the city of Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong Province on Saturday.

Eight naval vessels, five observers and more than 1,200 officers and soldiers from China and ASEAN countries took part.

The drill was divided into three parts: Activities at port and on shore, maritime military exercises and the conclusion.

Wang Hai, navy commander of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, said the drill demonstrated a new level of strategic collaboration between China and ASEAN countries, built a new platform for navies to better communicate, and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

China has strengthened maritime rescue cooperation with ASEAN members recently. In November 2017, a joint rescue drill was held near Guangdong Province.