JINAN, Aug. 21 -- A group of 16 Chinese and two European astronauts completed sea survival training in waters off the coast of Yantai in east China's Shandong Province Monday.

The 17-day joint program was the first time Chinese astronauts have conducted survival training at sea.

Organized by the Astronaut Center of China (ACC), the program was designed to prepare astronauts with skills including exiting the capsule themselves, survival at sea and rescue.

"I am very happy to work with Chinese astronauts," said Matthias Josef Maurer from Germany. "I hope to have more opportunities to come to China and join the training."

Maurer and Italian Samantha Cristoforetti were the first group of foreign astronauts to join Chinese training since China introduced its manned space program in 1992.

China has signed multiple cooperation agreements with countries such as Russia, Germany and France, and organizations including the European Space Agency (ESA) and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, according to China Manned Space Engineering Office.

"The training program has provided valuable experience for conducting international cooperation in the field of manned spaceflight," said Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the ACC.