The Sea Guardian Maritime Exercise will further strengthen decades old and time tested friendship between Pakistan and China besides opening new avenues for future maritime cooperation between two friendly navies.

This was stated by Commodore Asim Sohail Malik from Pakistan Navy and Senior Captain Qi Jian from People’s Liberation Army PLA of China while addressing a joint press conference in Karachi today.

The two commanders briefed the media about objectives, contours and conduct of the exercise.

Commodore Asim Sohail Malik said that Pakistan and China have always enjoyed strategically unique and strong relationship.

Senior Captain Qi Jian of PLA Navy said the exercise is committed to strengthen all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

He said it is also aimed at enhancing defence cooperation, deepening professional exchanges, facilitating the establishment of a regular mechanism for joint exercise.

He said it is also aimed at demonstrating the common mission and determination of the two countries to defend China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and further building a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Frontline Destroyer, Frigates, Helicopters, Rescue Ship, Submarine and Special Forces from Pakistan Navy and Peoples Liberation Army (Navy) are participating in the exercise.

The first bilateral Exercise Sea Guardian with People's Liberation Army (Navy) was held in 2014 and has regularly been conducted each year alternately in Pakistan and China.