Cross-Straits maritime drill set for Thursday

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will conduct a joint maritime search and rescue exercise on Thursday, according to an official statement issued Wednesday.

The drill, set in the waters between Xiamen and Jinmen on the Taiwan Strait, will consist of multiple scenarios, including rescue operations for overturned fishing boats and ferry collisions, the statement said.

Both sides have sent professional search and rescue teams, as well as public authorities from the cities of Xiamen and Jinmen, to participate in the event, the statement said.

Shipping associations on both sides have conducted cooperative maritime rescue operations since 1997 and established a 24-hour rescue hotline.