BEIJING, Nov 25: A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that China attached great importance to its cooperation with Pakistan in the defence sector.

Commenting on the second joint naval exercises, held this week in the Arabian Sea off the Karachi coast, Mr Liu Jianchao said it was an important development, promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation at the levels of the two navies in the non-traditional security field.

It was for the first time the Chinese navy had held a combined maritime drill, mainly in rescue and search areas, in alien seawater.

Liu Jianchao recalled that a fleet of Pakistan navy had visited China in November, 2003, for conducting a similar exercise.

The Chinese fleet that held the joint exercise with Shenzhen missile destroyer and Weishanhu depot ship.

According to a Chinese media report, the joint exercise “reflects political and military trust” on both sides.

When Pakistani naval fleets visited China, it was for the first China held such an exercise with any foreign country.

The joint drill in non-traditional security field includes formation of ships from both sides, marine communications operation, sea-air three-dimensional search of ships in distress, ship formation arriving at the scene after receiving order, fire fighting, rescue and transportation of personnel in distress.—APP