SHANGHAI, Oct 18: Two Pakistan navy ships arrived here on Saturday to take part in joint Sino-Pakistan maritime exercise from Oct 21 to 23.

It will be China’s first naval exercise with any other country.

The arrival of the ships, a destroyer, Babour, and a tanker, Nasar, carrying about 800 navy personnel was marked by a welcome ceremony held at the port.

It was attended by the top leader of the Chinese navy, Rear Admiral Xiu Ji Wen, Pakistan’s Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan and a Shanghai municipal government official.

Talking to APP, Rear Admiral Xiu said Pakistan was the first foreign country with which China was going to conduct a joint naval exercise.

He said he was sure that the exercise would be successful and help strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership in the defence sector for peace and security.

Ambassador Khan said the exercise would be a milestone in the bilateral cooperation of the countries in the defence sector.

He said it would help the two navies gain further strength and capability.

He said the cooperation between the forces of the two countries was meant to promoting peace and stability in the region and in the world.

The commander of the Babour, Mohammad Shafi, said his team was looking forward to having an intensive exercise with the Chinese navy to strengthen their defence capability.

The joint manoeuvrers, he said, would involve front-line warships, maritime helicopters and hundreds of personnel from both the sides.

The exercise will take place in deep sea off the Shanghai coast.—APP