Karachi, The ‘Sea Guardian’ Maritime Exercise, a joint naval exercise between Pakistan and China, is set to further solidify the longstanding friendship between the two countries and open new avenues for maritime cooperation. This announcement was made during a joint press conference held in Karachi by senior naval officers from both countries.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Commodore Asim Sohail Malik from the Pakistan Navy and Senior Captain Qi Jian from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China briefed the media about the exercise’s objectives, structure, and conduct. Commodore Malik highlighted the unique and strong strategic relationship between Pakistan and China. Senior Captain Qi Jian emphasized that the exercise aims to strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and enhance defense cooperation and professional exchanges. He also noted that the exercise demonstrates the commitment to defend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Participants in the exercise include frontline destroyers, frigates, helicopters, rescue ships, submarines, and special forces from both navies. The bilateral Exercise Sea Guardian, initiated in 2014, has been conducted annually, alternating between Pakistan and China.