Chinese and Spanish naval vessels Tuesday conducted their first ever joint military exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.

Chinese guided-missile destroyer Guangzhou along with Spanish frigate Reina Sofia and a patrol ship participated in the search and rescue exercise dubbed "China-Spanish Friendship-2007."

Taking place near Spain's southern port city of Cadiz, the operation was also the Chinese Navy's first joint exercise with the Spanish Navy in Spanish waters.

Spain is the third leg of the 87-day voyage of the Chinese destroyer and its supply ship Weishanhu that has already taken them to St. Petersburg, Russia, and Portsmouth, Britain, and will also take them to Toulon, France.

The navies of China and Spain began exchanges of friendly visits in the 1980s. In March 2003, Spanish naval training vessel Juan Sebastian De Elcano paid a five-day visit to the Chinese port city of Shanghai.

(PLA Daily September 20, 2007)