Pakistan and China will conduct naval exercises in the Arabian Sea from tomorrow to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability between their navies, authorities reported here today.
The exercise, dubbed “Pakistan-China Sea Guardian 2023”, will contribute to enhancing security cooperation and developing a multi-dimensional strategic partnership, Pakistan Navy Commodore Asim Sohail Malik and Senior Captain of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy said in a joint press conference ( Navy), Qi Jian.
Both agreed on the importance of the exercise in opening new avenues for future maritime cooperation against common threats in the region.
Malik emphasized the strong and strategic ties between the two countries and that the Pakistan-China Sea Guardian 2023 will further strengthen the time-tested and decades-old bilateral friendship, he said.
Qi Jian added that the readiness will strengthen both navies in combating terrorism and crime at sea, promote efforts to maintain a secure maritime environment and defend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the military, destroyers, frigates, helicopters, rescue ships, submarines and special forces from both nations are taking part in the exercise.
Workshops, seminars and debates have been held since Saturday as part of the preparation that Pakistan and China have been carrying out every year since 2014, they said.
From tomorrow to next Thursday, the maritime phase will take place, which will include advanced naval operations including security, tactical maneuvers, various war-related exercises, search and rescue operations and more.
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