The navies of China and the United States conducted their second joint counter-piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

This sign of improved Sino-US military relations followed the return of Defense Minister Chang Wanquan from a visit to Washington last week.

The Chinese naval contingent was taking part in escort missions before the two-day exercise, which started on Saturday. It was the 14th Chinese naval contingent to be deployed to the Gulf of Aden.