From 11:00 to 16:10 on September 20, local time, the Chinese naval vessel task force, which had just wrapped up its visit to the United States, successfully staged the first-ever joint search-and-rescue exercise with the U.S. naval vessels in the nearby waters to the northwest of the San Diego Port.

　　After the exercise, both the Chinese and American sides held that the exercise scenarios were set up and dealt with in a very proper manner, the naval units of the two countries were swift in action and well coordinated in rescue operation, displaying fully the good prospects of cooperation between the two navies.

　　According to sources, in light of the consensus reached by the defense and military leaders of the two countries, the navies of the two countries will hold the 2nd phase of joint maritime search-and-rescue exercise in the offshore waters of China in November this year.

　　By Qian Xiaohu and Zhong Runkui

　　(Sept 22, PLA Daily)