China and Pakistan hold joint naval drills

China and Pakistan held joint naval drills in the East China Sea on Thursday (December 31) and Friday (January 1), Chinese state media reported.

According to 81.cn, a website affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army, the joint drills included search and rescue operations, firing practice, and anti-piracy procedures.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed footage of warships from the two navies at sea holding firing drills.

The two Pakistani naval vessels which participated in the drills arrived in Shanghai on Thursday (December 29) for a port of call.

China and Pakistan describe each other as “all weather friends” and have tight business, diplomatic and security links.

Last year, the two countries launched a plan for energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan worth $46 billion, linking their economies and underscoring China’s economic ambitions in Asia and beyond.

As part of the agreements, China will get a free trade zone in Pakistan’s Gwadar port and access to the Indian Ocean. New Pakistani roads will also open up routes for Chinese goods into Europe and the Middle East, though details and financing of many of the deals remain unclear.