MANILA - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sent 20 of its officers to China for a two-week training led by the Chinese Coast Guard.

The training, which is being held in Ningbo City, Zheijang province, runs from May 4 to 20.

Half of the PCG men sent to China are legal officers who are attending the China-Philippine Coast Guard Legal Affairs seminar.

The other half, meanwhile, are PCG officers who are participating in the Junior Officers Law Enforcement Training Course.

Among the topics to be discussed in the 17-day program are maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and communication.

Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said the training was made according to President Rodrigo Duterte's mandate to strengthen the cooperation between China and the Philippines

He said the exchange of knowledge between the Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards is expected to boost friendship and trust between the two countries amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The PCG men, meanwhile, were also granted the opportunity to visit the regional unit of China Coast Guard, and the cities of Shanghai and Ningbo. -- report from Zhander Cayabyab, ABS-CBN News