The navies of China and the United States will stage a search-and-rescue exercise off the southern coast of China on Sunday, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Gary Roughead said in Beijing on Monday.

The full details are yet to be finalized, Roughead said, but the USS Juneau (LPD 10) will participate in the exercise and make a port visit to Zhanjiang, in south China's Guangdong Province.

The exercise is the second phase of the first-ever joint search-and-rescue exercise between China and the United States.

"These exercises contribute to improving working relationships and act as a foundation for increasing disaster responsiveness and promoting regional security," Roughead said.

The first phase, held in September, consisted of communications exercises off Haiwaii.

Roughead arrived in Beijing on Sunday afternoon for his first visit to China as the commander.

During his week-long visit, Roughead will also meet with senior Chinese government officials and military officers.

Source: Xinhua