September 25, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1424

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BEIJING, Sept 24: Pakistan and China will hold joint maritime exercise in the third week of next month to strengthen their bilateral cooperation in the defence sector.

This will be for the first time that the Chinese navy would be conducting joint maritime exercise with any foreign navy. In this connection, a warship of Pakistan navy will arrive at Shanghai seaport on Oct 18.

The defence sources told APP here, the ship would comprise a destroyer and a tanker, with helicopters on board. “It will carry about 700 crew members.”

The ship will be on a “goodwill mission” to China. However, it will follow joint naval exercise, as already agreed upon between the two countries.

The forces of the two countries enjoy decades long strategic partnership in the defence sector, based on mutual trust and confidence.

The sources said the joint maritime exercise reflected importance of the relations between the Chinese and Pakistan navies.

They added the forces of the two countries were committed to strengthen their defence capability and work together promoting peace and capability in the region.