China, Australia, New Zealand to hold joint drill

Chinese, Australian and New Zealand armies will hold their first joint exercise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The drill, named Exercise Cooperation Spirit 2012, will be held in the Australian coastal city of Brisbane from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a regular press conference on Thursday.

The exercise will focus on humanitarian rescue and medical assistance during floods, which will involve exchanging experience and field training, Yang added.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will send approximately 30 military planners and medical personnel to participate in the drill.

"The purpose of the drill is to exchange experience on disaster relief among the three parties, explore methods for joint rescue and medical operation in an aim to increase military mutual trust and enhance the level of the practical cooperation," Yang said.