Manzar Naqvi
KARACHI: The Chinese and Pakistani navies collaboratively inaugurated the “Sea Guardians-3” joint maritime exercise on Saturday at the Karachi Naval Dockyard, marking the third edition of this bilateral endeavor. Rear Admiral Liang Yang, Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy base, and Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, Commander of the Pakistan Fleet, played pivotal roles as the general directors for their respective nations during the opening ceremony.
This exercise underscores the commitment to fortifying the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, aiming to enhance the practical combat proficiency of their militaries. The drills will encompass diverse subjects, including formation movement, search and rescue operations, and anti-submarine activities.
Rear Admiral Liang Yang, the Commander of Qingdao Naval Base, served as the Guest of Honour, while Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, the Commander of Pakistan Fleet, was also present.
In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral Abbasi extended a warm welcome, emphasizing the robust strategic bonds between the two nations’ navies. He stressed the significance of meticulous planning for the exercise, expressing optimism that it would elevate strategic cooperation and interoperability.
Rear Admiral Liang Yang, Commander of Qingdao Naval Base, conveyed gratitude to the Pakistan Navy for hosting Exercise Sea Guardian and anticipated a mutually beneficial and professionally rewarding experience through this joint exercise.
Following the joint maritime exercise, Admiral Liang Yang, who led the Chinese naval fleet’s visit to Karachi, co-hosted a Deck reception on Sunday with the Consul General of China in Karachi. The Chief Guest at the event was Justice Maqbool Baqar, Chief Minister of Sindh, along with Brig Haris Nawaz, Home Minister of Sindh, diplomats, naval officers from both countries, and prominent members of the city’s elite attending the reception.
In a welcoming speech, Consul General of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong, announced that the annual military cooperation plan between China and Pakistan is set to unfold with the commencement of the “Sea Guardians-3” joint exercise in the northern Arabian Sea in the coming days. This marks the third iteration of such joint exercises, showcasing the strong and enduring military collaboration between the two nations.
Consul General Yang Yundong highlighted the meticulous coordination and extensive communication between the Chinese and Pakistani Navies to ensure the smooth execution of various activities during the exercise. Emphasizing the significance of the Chinese navy’s visit, he described it as a journey of peace, cooperation, and friendship, aimed at deepening bilateral relations and traditional friendship while enhancing realistic military training.
Addressing the gathering, Yundong reflected on the steadfast progress of China-Pakistan relations over the past 72 years. He underscored the unwavering support the countries have provided each other on core issues related to sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. The Consul General praised the sustained and in-depth development in various fields of pragmatic cooperation, citing achievements in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), infrastructure development, and industrial cooperation.
Yundong highlighted the commitment to building an “upgraded version” of CPEC, focusing on growth, livelihood enhancement, innovation, green initiatives, and inclusivity. In addition, he noted positive outcomes in the security sector, referencing initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, such as the Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, which have garnered positive responses in Pakistan.
The Global Security Initiative advocates for a path of security characterized by dialogue, partnership, and win-win cooperation. Yundong reiterated China’s dedication to common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
The Consul General also touched upon the success of the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, where President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar reached consensus on deepening the all-weather strategic cooperation and high-quality construction of CPEC. Looking ahead, Yundong expressed the commitment to further enhancing strategic mutual trust, promoting traditional friendship, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Highlighting the importance of military ties in the overall China-Pakistan relations, Yundong expressed support for the two navies to maintain the momentum of mutual visits and exchanges, deepen cooperation in training, joint exercises, and other areas. He emphasized the role of military collaboration in injecting new impetus into the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, making a positive contribution to peace and prosperity in the region and the wider world.
Yang Yundong extended his best wishes for the success of the upcoming China-Pakistan “Sea Guardian-3” joint maritime exercise.