China and Pakistan kicked off a four-day joint naval exercise called “Sea Guardians-2” off the coast of Shanghai on Sunday, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy spokesman Liu Wensheng announced on Sunday.
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The exercise aims to “jointly meet naval security challenges” and seeks to enhance defense cooperation between China and Pakistan, while promoting a strategic partnership, Liu said.
The spokesperson added that the drills were scheduled according to an existing annual plan and do not target any specific third party.
EAST CHINA SEA
COAST OFF SHANGHAIThe second Tughril-class guided missile and air defence frigate of the Pakistan Navy, PNS Taimur (F-262), conducted naval warfare exercises with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).#Pakistan #China pic.twitter.com/mxNURV7KaV
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July 10, 2022
The joint exercise is aimed at enhancing defense cooperation, exchanging knowledge and experience, deepening the traditional friendship between the two countries and the armed forces, and promoting the development of the strategic cooperative partnership, he said.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command Navy said the Xiangtan frigate, the Shuozhou corvette, the Qiandaohu supply ship, two fighter jets and a submarine would participate.
The Pakistan Navy said its second Chinese-built Type 054A frigate, Taimur, which was delivered to them in Shanghai last month, would take part in the drill.
This week’s drills followed Pakistan Army Chief of Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa’s visit to China last month, where he held talks with China’s senior general Zhang Youxia, who is vice chairman of the Central Military Commission headed by President Xi Jinping. .
This is the second time China and Pakistan have held a joint naval exercise codenamed Sea Guardians. The first was carried out in January 2020 in the North Arabian Sea.
This type of practice has been carried out jointly by China and Pakistan on previous occasions. On January 14, 2020, both countries concluded a nine-day “mega naval exercise”.
