Pak-China naval exercise gets underway in Karachi

KARACHI: The sixth Pak-China joint Naval exercise, Sea Guardians 2020, commenced at Karachi, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.

The spokesman for Navy said the opening ceremony of sixth bilateral exercise Sea Guardians-2020 between Pakistan Navy and PLA (Navy), was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. The Deputy Commander of Southern Theatre Command PLA, Vice Admiral Dong Jun was the chief guest. The Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq was also present at the occasion.

Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq welcomed the Chinese officers and personnel and alluded to the evergreen, warm and eternally cordial relations between the two countries in general and navies in particular. While highlighting the immaculate and sound planning for the exercise, the Admiral hoped that this exercise will prove to be another stepping stone in augmenting the interoperability and strategic cooperation between both the navies. Earlier, the Deputy Commander of Southern Theatre Command PLA, Vice Admiral Dong Jun thanked Pakistan Navy for hosting Exercise Sea Guardians and hoped to have a mutually benefiting and professionally rewarding experience from the exercise.

The Chinese flotilla comprising naval platforms along with PLA (Navy) Marines Corps Detachment, arrived at Karachi to participate in the exercise. During the exercise, front line destroyers and frigates along with air and other assets, Marines and Special Forces from Pakistan Navy and PLA (Navy) will carry out advance level joint drills and naval maneuvers in North Arabian Sea. In addition, during harbour phase, various professional and social activities will also be conducted. The activities of the exercise will also be witnessed by senior officials from both the navies.

The Exercise Sea Guardians-2020 is aimed at sharing professional experiences on contemporary and non-traditional threats at sea, improve security cooperation and promote safe and sustainable maritime environment in the region It is a reflection of strong bilateral military cooperation between Pakistan Navy and Chinese Navy and will foster greater bilateral cooperation between the two navies. The ceremony was attended by a large number of military officials from both the navies.