Chinese naval guided missile frigate Xiangfan yesterday arrived at Singapore's Changi Naval Base for a multilateral marine drill off Singapore waters as well as this year's International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX).

It is the first time the Chinese Navy has dispatched a ship to participate in the drill, which is held under the framework of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium.

Fifteen ships from other 12 countries, including the United States, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India, will take part in the drill.

The Xiangfan will take part in four exercises: defending against attacks from light vessels, passing through mined waters, carrying out a maritime rescue and firing at targets at sea.

Since its launch in Singapore in 1997, the IMDEX ASIA Series has become a leading international maritime defense show serving the Asia Pacific Region.

The Western Pacific Navel Symposium aims to increase naval cooperation in the Western Pacific among navies by providing a forum for discussion of maritime issues, both global and regional, and in the process generating a flow of information and opinion between naval professionals leading to common understanding and agreements.

(Shanghai Daily May 15, 2007)