The Chinese Navy’s frigate Handan has docked at Karachi to participate in joint drills with the Pakistan Navy in Pakistani waters.
The frigate that belongs to the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy for the Gulf of Aden was warmly welcomed by senior officials of the Pakistan Navy, and Chinese diplomats at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard.
During its stay, Handan will take part in joint drills with Pakistan Navy from Nov. 15 to 21, aiming at enhancing coordination, promoting tactics exchanges and sharing experiences on anti-piracy.
The exercises will include about a dozen tasks such as leaving port under threats, shooting, and night time patrol and surveillance.
During a short meeting between the two sides, Commodore Zaka Ur Rehman of the Pakistan Navy expressed his appreciation at the role that the Handan has played in the Gulf of Aden against piracy and said that “China is a great friend of Pakistan’s and a brotherly country. We have arranged exercises, which hopefully will be very successful, useful, and rewarding and will further strengthen our relations.”
For his part, Chi Qingtao, the chief officer of the joint drills from the Chinese side, said that “We hope that our joint bilateral exercises will be a great success. This is a great opportunity for cooperation between the navies of the two countries.”
Chi also briefly introduced the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy to Commodore Rahman.
