BEIJING - China and Vietnam conducted joint naval patrols in the Beibu Gulf from June 19 to 20, according to a statement posted on the website of China's Defense Ministry.

After the joint patrols, the Vietnam's navy delegation is paying a visit to coastal city Zhanjiang of South China's Guangdong province from June 21 to 24.

The joint naval patrols and the port call, part of the bilateral annual exchange plan, is a friendly exchange activity between the two armed forces, said the statement.

The joint patrols were the 11th since 2005 between the two countries.