Beijing, Aug. 12 -- China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) and Indonesia's military plan to hold a joint navigation exercise in waters east of the island of Taiwan, China's Defense Ministry said, as naval cooperation between the countries expands.

"In mid-August, the Chinese Navy's Honghe will conduct a navigation exercise with an Indonesian Navy frigate in waters east of the island of Taiwan," the ministry said.

According to a statement from the ministry's official website that ANTARA quoted in Beijing on Wednesday, the exercise will include communications drills and at-sea replenishment.

The drills aims to improve joint naval operations, deepen practical cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, the ministr...