SINGAPORE, April 28 — The Singapore and China navies are holding a joint maritime exercise from today to May 1, which consists of a shore and sea phase, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in a press statement today.

This year’s drills will be the second in the bilateral series, called Exercise Maritime Cooperation, between the two countries, with the first taking place in 2015.

This comes as a United States submarine — the USS Columbia — made a routine port call at the Changi Naval Base this week.

This year’s Exercise Maritime Cooperation will involve the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid and Bedok-class Mine Countermeasure Vessel RSS Punggol.

The People’s Liberation Army — Navy, or PLA(N) in short, has sent its Jiangkai II-class frigate, Yulin, and Wozang-class Minesweeper, Chibi.

In the shore phase at RSS Singapura — Changi Naval Base, personnel from both navies will engage in joint planning exercises, professional exchanges and combined training at the Damage Control Trainer.

The sea phase will see the PLA(N) helicopter landing on the RSS Intrepid, gun firing, search and rescue, and various other drills.

It will take place in the southern reaches of the South China Sea within international waters, according to Mindef.

The ministry said that the exercise underscores the warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China, and enhances mutual trust and understanding between the two countries’ armies.

"Besides bilateral exercises, the two armed forces also interact regularly through high-level exchanges, mutual visits, cross-attendance of courses and port calls,” it added.

Yesterday, Mindef said that the USS Columbia had hosted a visit for officials from the ministry and RSN on board the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine as part of its port call.

Singapore has facilitated port calls and transits by US vessels and aircraft, in line with a Memorandum of Understanding which allows the Americans to use facilities here, Mindef added. — TODAY