(VOVworld) - Malaysia and China will carry out joint military exercises beginning next year, implementing a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation signed nine years ago.

A dialogue session between Chinese defense minister General Chang Wanquan and his Malaysian counterpart in Beijing. Photo: internet

The agreement was made during talks between China’s Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is visiting to Beijing to boost their comprehensive strategic partnership. After the talks, Minister Hussein said that the joint drills would encompass the three branches of land, sea and air. The two sides reached a consensus on enhancing defense cooperation, organizing joint maneuvers and military personnel exchanges, cooperating in defense industries, and countering terrorism and transnational crime.  

The Malaysian Defense Minister also met with several of China's top military leaders on this occasion.