Myanmar and China are conducting joint naval drill together and it will include drills to protect sky and maritime, according to sources.

The warships of the 44th PLA Navy Escort Task Group (ETG), which are on a good-will visit to the Union of Myanmar, namely the destroyer Zi Bo, the frigate Jing Zhou and the replenishment warship Qian Dao Hu, left Yangon's Thilawa port on December 1 afternoon. They were seen off by officials from Chinese embassy in Myanmar, Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce and China-Myanmar Buddhist association.

The three naval ships left joint naval drill area together with naval ships from Myanmar’s Navy.

“The three Chinese vessels which were in Yangon for goodwill visit left Yangon together with naval ships from Myanmar and started its joint naval drill,” said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, spokesman of State Administration Council (SAC).

A total of 700 naval task force members are on board in three Chinese vessels and they arrived in Yangon on November 27.

They visited the prominent places in Yangon and competed in China-Myanmar friendly sports competitions. They also visited Tatmadaw vessel (Kyansitha) on 30 November. SAC Spokesman said that relation between the two countries is strengthening. They also donated stationery to a high school in Thanlyin Township and conducted maritime security exercises with Tatmadaw (Navy).