SINGAPORE, May 9 (Xinhua) -- A joint maritime exercise involving the navies and air forces of Singapore and Australia has been holding in the Singapore Strait and the South China Sea, from May 7 to 11.

    Singapore's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement that both navies are exercising under the conventional range of scenarios, from maritime surveillance, air defense to anti-submarine warfare, as well as in the maritime security scenario of defense against small boat threats.

    Shore activities in the form of professional discussions and war-gaming training are also part of the exercise.

    The exercise, named Exercise SINGAROO 07, is the eleventh in the series of maritime warfare exercises between the navies and air forces of Singapore and Australia.

    "The exercise provides the opportunity for the Singapore and Australian navies and air forces to enhance mutual understanding, promote inter-operability and strengthen professional ties," the statement said.