China and Southeast Asian Nations will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week. The navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise in the South China Sea near the city of Zhanjiang. <br />''  <br />'' This was announced by Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at a gathering of ASEAN defence ministers in Singapore. It was also attended by US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart. Singapore Defence Minister said the drills will help to build trust and confidence.<br />'' <br />