China and Saudi Arabia will hold their second joint naval exercises next month, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Thursday, at a time when Beijing is strengthening its ties with Riyadh.
The exercises, called “Blue Sword 2023,” will take place in October in Guangdong, a province in southern China, the ministry said.
“This joint training focuses on overseas maritime anti-terrorism operations, special sniper exercises, boating, helicopter landing and rescue,” Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said during a press conference.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency, the two powers had already held joint naval exercises in 2019.
They “aim to deepen practical and friendly cooperation between the two armies and improve the level of practical training of troops,” Wu Qian said.
These exercises come as China seeks to strengthen its ties with Riyadh and has taken on a new role as a mediator in the Middle East.
Beijing helped broker a deal this year between Saudi Arabia and Damascus-backed Iran, two long-time rivals, that led to the restoration of ties and the reopening of their respective embassies.