China and Vietnam conducted joint naval patrols in the Beibu Gulf from June 19 to 20, China's Defense Ministry said on its website on Wednesday.

After the joint patrols, the Vietnam's navy delegation is on a visit to Zhanjiang, a coastal city in 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.

The two countries have held 11 joint patrols since 2005.