The People’s Liberation Army said on Wednesday it would carry out a joint drill with Malaysia around the South China Sea next week, announcing the manoeuvres a day after the Philippine and Japanese air forces began a joint exercise over the disputed waters. This year’s joint drill, Aman Youyi-2025, is the sixth time the exercise has been held, with the first taking place in 2014. According to the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command, more than 1,000 personnel will take part, with equipment including unmanned systems, naval vessels and helicopters. The exercise near Malaysian waters would focus on “humanitarian assistance”, “disaster relief” and “maritime security”, the PLA said, adding that other Southeast Asian countries would be invited to observe. “[The joint exercise] aims to deepen practical cooperation between the Chinese and Southeast Asian militaries and enhance their capacity to jointly address non-traditional security threats and safeguard regional peace and stability,” China’s defence ministry said.

Full report : Chinese military announces Malaysia drill as Japan-Philippines exercise starts.