Col Ren Guoqiang, Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson, said on Thursday, that Pakistan and China will conduct a joint maritime exercise in the northern Arabian Sea in 2020 to enhance the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.
Col Guoqiang revealed that China will dispatch its destroyers, frigates, supply ships and submarine rescue ships for the joint exercise in the northern Arabian Sea.
#Pak–#China to hold #PCMEX-2019, Pakistan-China maritime exercise in Dec at India's doorstep, in North Arabian Sea
-Kunming Luyang (Destroyer),
-Yueyang, Jiang Kai-II (Frigate),
-Luomahu (Fuchi-Tanker),
-Song-Class Sub & Liugongdao (Daloo-Class Support Ship) likely 2 Participate! pic.twitter.com/6xiytpJPs1— Mohit 🇮🇳 (@DelhiiteMohit) November 26, 2019
Pak-China Joint Maritime Exercise
Addressing the monthly briefing of the Chinese Defence Ministry, Col Guoqiang said, “Based on the annual exchange plan between Chinese and Pakistan armed forces, China and Pakistan will conduct a joint maritime exercise in Pakistan in January 2020, the Chinese side will send destroyers, frigates, supply ships, and submarine rescue ships to the exercise.”
The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson observed that the joint naval exercise will allow China and Pakistan to cement their defence cooperation and enhance their strategic partnership.
Read more: Turkey begins Construction of Top Class MILGEM Naval Warships for Pakistan
Col Guoqiang said in this regard, “This joint exercise can help the two sides to strengthen their military and defense cooperation, enhance their all-weather strategic partnership, and promote the building of a maritime community of shared future.”
The Spokesperson added that the exercise is not associated with the ongoing regional situation or any third country.
He said, “This exercise has nothing to do with regional situation and it does not target any third country.”
The Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson observed that this trilateral maritime exercise will “help deepen exchanges and cooperation among the three navies, and improve their capabilities to jointly respond to maritime security threats.”
Beijing is also undertaking a trilateral maritime exercise with Russia and South Africa, the first of its kind, in waters south off Africa. Commenting on this development, Col Guoqiang said, “The joint maritime exercise between China, Russia and South Africa is being held in waters and airspace near Cape Town, South Africa from November 24 to 29”.
“The subject is jointly protecting navigation and maritime economic activities, and it will be conducted in two phases, namely port exchanges and sea drills. The Chinese Navy sent the guided-missile frigate Weifang (Hull 550), which is part of China’s 33rd batch of escort task group in the Gulf of Aden, to the exercise.”
Read more: Pakistan’s First Indigenously Designed Fast Attack Craft Missile
The Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson observed that this trilateral maritime exercise will “help deepen exchanges and cooperation among the three navies, and improve their capabilities to jointly respond to maritime security threats.”
He added, “It also demonstrates the three countries’ strong will and capabilities to protect peace at sea and build a maritime community with a shared future.”