The Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted "goodwill exercises" with the Chinese Navy for the first time in eight years, the MSDF has said in a statement.
The training, which saw the Japanese destroyer Samidare and the Chinese guided-missile destroyer Taiyuan practice communications such as radio usage while sailing side by side in waters south of the Kanto region on Oct. 16, comes amid warming ties between the two Asian powers. It was reportedly just the third instance of joint training between the two militaries.
The MSDF aimed to improve tactical skills, strengthen cooperation and promote mutual understanding with the Chinese military, according to the statement released Tuesday.