ISLAMABAD: A Chinese military contingent would arrive in Pakistan through motorized vehicles and air transport to participate in a joint military exercise in January 2020 which defense analysts say would further strengthen the “strategic relationship” between the two regional allies.

“Based on the annual exchange plan between the Chinese and Pakistan armed forces, China and Pakistan will conduct a joint maritime exercise in Pakistan in January 2020,” Senior Col. Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said in a regular press briefing last week.

He informed the media that the Chinese side would send destroyers, frigates, supply ships, and submarine rescue ships to the exercise.

“This joint exercise can help the two sides strengthen their military and defense cooperation, enhance their all-weather strategic partnership, and promote the building of a maritime community of shared future,” he said.

This is the seventh edition of the “Warrior” series joint exercises between the Chinese and Pakistani Special Forces, aiming to deepen cooperation and exchange between the two Special Forces and enhance their capacities to handle various security threats and implement diverse military operations.

Both sides are expected to organize live-fire exercises to consolidate the results of previous joint drills, strengthen military training cooperation and further deepen the traditional friendship between Chinese and Pakistani militaries.

The Chinese defense ministry’s spokesperson clarified that the exercise had nothing to do with the regional situation and it was not to target any third country.

However, defense analysts in Pakistan called the joint military exercise “significant,” pointing to the fact that it would be carried out in a tense environment between India and Pakistan.

“This exercise will help further strengthen our strategic relationship with China,” Lt. Gen. (r) Talat Masood told Arab News. “This will also send a message to India and other world powers that Pakistan is not alone.”

Masood said the joint military exercise would help the forces of the two countries understand each other’s command structures and military practices. He continued it would also prepare them to counter crisis situations together.

“The Sino-Pakistan military cooperation is also important to timely respond to a crisis, such as a major terrorist attack on development projects being carried out under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he added.