Agence France-Presse,
Singapore: Navies from around the Asia-Pacific region began a series of exercises in Singapore Wednesday to enhance cooperation as sea security takes on increased importance, defence officials said. Eighteen warships from countries belonging to the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) are participating in the exercises, Singapore's defence ministry said in a statement.
After dealing with “realistic maritime security scenarios” using shore-based simulators, the navies will stage exercises in the South China Sea on Saturday and Sunday, the ministry said.
The drills will involve small boat patrols, search-and-rescue and missile firing, The Straits Times quoted Senior Captain Li Xiaoyan, commander of the Chinese frigate Plan Xiangfan, as saying.
Helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft will also take part, Singapore's defence ministry said.
Opening the exercises, Singapore's defence chief Major General Desmond Kuek said Southeast Asia would become increasingly important to the maritime transport of trade and energy resources.
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore already carry more than 30 percent of the world's trade and half of its oil, he said.
“Any disruptions to the maritime traffic traversing these vital sea lanes will have an economic and strategic impact far beyond this region,” Kuek said.
Australia, the United States, Indonesia, Singapore are among the members of the WPNS, established in 1988 as a forum to discuss cooperation. Canada, India and four other countries have observer status.
“The exercise represents an important avenue for WPNS navies to enhance their interoperability,” Singapore's defence ministry said.
“This will serve the navies well in circumstances when they are required to co-operate to counter common threats to maritime security.”
The sea exercises are taking place in conjunction with IMDEX Asia, the region's biggest maritime defence exhibition.
