China and Japan have agreed to hold their first-ever joint naval military exercise. The Xinhua news agency on Saturday said Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met his Japanese counterpart Toshimi Kitazawa in Tokyo and announced a nine-point agreement including the joint military drill.

The two agreed that the Chinese Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will hold a joint search and rescue exercises at an "appropriate time" and discuss the installation of a military hotline linking their navies. This is the first time Beijing and Tokyo have agreed to a joint military drill.

The Japanese defense minister will pay a return visit to China next year, with regular meetings between military chiefs planned as part of efforts to increase exchanges. Liang also met Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday and discussed ways to improve military ties.

The Asahi Shimbun daily on Sunday said Liang is to inspect a Japanese Aegis destroyer on Monday. The ship features cutting-edge technology including a U.S.-made anti-aircraft defense system and the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles. The daily commented it was "unusual" to allow Chinese defense officials access to such equipment.