China-Russia joint naval exercise, Joint Sea-2021 (File Photo)
Fri 29 September 2023:
China and Saudi Arabia will conduct a joint naval military drill in October, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.
The military exercise, called “Blue Sword 2023,” will be held in Zhanjiang city of South China’s Guangdong province, a ministry spokesman told a press briefing, Global Times reported.
“This joint training focuses on overseas maritime counter-terrorism operations, conducting exercises on sniper tactics, boat driving, helicopter landing, and joint rescue,” defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian told a press briefing.
The two countries previously held joint naval drills in 2019, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
They are “aiming to deepen practical and friendly cooperation between the two militaries and improve the level of practical training for the troops,” Wu said.
The exercises come as Beijing forges deeper ties with Riyadh and plays peacemaker in the Middle East.
This year, China brokered a deal that saw longtime regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to restore ties and reopen their respective embassies.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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