China on Tuesday came out of its self-imposed ban on joint naval exercises with a foreign country by kicking off a security drill with its 'all weather' ally Pakistan off the northeastern coast of Shanghai.

The naval exercise involves 1,600 sailors and officers and the participation of destroyers, sources said.

During the exercise, which would last until October 24, the two navies plan to undertake joint manoeuvres at surface and in deep-sea water.

The two sides are also using reconnaissance and anti-submarine helicopters to conduct joint search and rescue and patrolling operations.

While China has not released information on the type of its ships taking part in the naval exercise, the Pakistani side said two ships, a destroyer and a tanker, which arrived in the east Chinese port city of Shanghai last Saturday, would be exercising with their Chinese counterparts.

There were reports that Pakistan may soon acquire Chinese-made 'AWACS killer' to counter Phalcons.

According to the reports, Islamabad was eying Chinese-built FT-2000 surface-to-air missile, commonly known as 'AWACS killer'.

Meanwhile, China's top military brass showered praise on Pakistan calling it a 'reliable and trustworthy friend and brother' and expressed desire to further step up their traditional friendship and army-to-army cooperation.

"The Sino-Pakistan friendship are not only in high-level exchanges but also strikes deep roots in the people of both countries," Chinese Defence Minister General Cao Gangchuan said during a meeting with Pakistani Air Force chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat.

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission, said China attaches great importance to the traditional Sino-Pakistan friendly cooperation and will make joint efforts with Pakistan to continue the friendship, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

He said relations between China and Pakistan had developed smoothly ever since the two countries forged their diplomatic ties 52 years ago.

The chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, General Liang Guanglie, also met with Saadat and his delegation.

"The Chinese people and their armed forces had always regarded Pakistan as their sincere, reliable and trustworthy friend and brother, and Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to go on advancing the army-to-army friendly and cooperative relations," Liang said.