KARACHI: Pakistan-China Joint Naval Exercise Sea Guardian 2023 will strengthen bilateral security cooperation to develop a multi-dimensional strategic alliance between the two countries and create new avenues for future maritime cooperation against shared threats in the region.
This announcement was made during a joint press conference held on Monday, where Pakistan Navy’s Commodore Asim Sohail Malik and China’s People’s Liberation Army (Navy) ‘s Senior Captain Qi Jian briefed the media on the exercise’s structure, objectives, and execution.
Commodore Asim Sohail Malik highlighted the enduring and exceptional strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, noting that this exercise will reinforce their well-established and decades-old friendship.
He stated, “The exercise will also open new avenues for future maritime cooperation between the two friendly navies to address shared regional challenges.”
Senior Captain Qi Jian added that the primary goal of the exercise is to enhance bilateral security cooperation and foster a multi-dimensional strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. The exercise’s focus includes building the capabilities of both navies to collectively combat terrorism and maritime crime, as well as ensuring a secure marine environment and the defense of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This exercise underscores the commitment further to strengthen the enduring and time-tested friendship between both nations.
This exercise includes frontline destroyers, frigates, helicopters, rescue ships, submarines, and special forces from the Pakistan Navy and the People’s Liberation Army (Navy).
The exercise is structured into two phases: the Harbour phase and the Sea phase. During the Harbour phase, both navies engage in workshops, seminars, and tabletop discussions to share experiences and insights on contemporary maritime security threats and challenges.
The Sea Phase of the exercise, scheduled to take place in the North Arabian Sea from November 14 to 16, 2023, will involve advanced-level naval operations, encompassing maritime security operations, tactical maneuvers, various warfare-related exercises, and search and rescue operations to address a range of maritime threats.
It’s worth noting that the first bilateral Exercise Sea Guardian with the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) took place in 2014 and has since been conducted annually, alternating between Pakistan and China.
—APP
