The navies of China and Vietnam started a joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf in the South China Sea Thursday morning, according to China's National Defense Ministry.

This is an action that implements the agreement that signed by Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Van Tra Oct. 26, 2005.

It is also the first time for the Chinese navy to patrol jointly with a foreign counterpart.

The ministry said it will further the friendly cooperation between the military forces of the two countries and maintain the order and stability in the Beibu Gulf.

Source: Xinhua