Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The fourth bilateral exercise between the Pakistan Navy and PLA China Navy encompassing Harbour and Sea phases concluded on Monday in the North Arabian Sea. This highly significant exercise included series of operational and tactical activities and engagement of mutual interests. The harbour phase of the exercise comprised various visits, sports activities and table top discussions as preparatory warm up for the sea phase. The sea phase of the exercise covered a wide spectrum of maritime and naval operations by ships, helicopters, Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Joint Boarding Operations by Special Forces, Air Defence Exercises, communication drills and joint maneuvers by ships, a naval spokesman said in a statement. Enhanced collaboration between PN and PLA(N) is aimed at improving interoperability for conducting combined maritime operations to ensure a stable maritime environment vital for economic stability and growth as well as ensuring peace and security in maritime commons. This exercise is reflective of a strong mutual desire to improve the level of coordination and interoperability at operational and tactical levels. The deep rooted naval collaboration between Pakistan Navy and PLA (Navy) has become even more important in the backdrop of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to effectively handle complex challenges in the maritime domain. In this context, bilateral exercises are expected to go a long way in promoting maritime security and stability in the region.