Saudi, Chinese navies launch military drill in Zhanjiang

The Royal Saudi Navy and China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy launched a joint military exercise in Zhanjiang. (SPA)
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Updated 10 October 2023
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Saudi, Chinese navies launch military drill in Zhanjiang

  • The three-week exercise code-named Blue Sword 3 will take place in Zhanjiang

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Navy and China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy launched a joint military exercise this week in Zhanjiang, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Code-named Blue Sword 3, the three-week exercise aims to build mutual trust, enhance cooperation between the two navies and exchange experiences in combating maritime terrorism and piracy, SPA added.

The exercise will focus on “overseas maritime counter-terrorism operations,” including sniping, boat driving, helicopter landing and joint rescues, China’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

This is the second time that China and Saudi Arabia have held joint naval drills.

In 2019, the two navies held a drill at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah.

 

 


Scouts record 45,000 volunteer hours serving pilgrims at Grand Mosque in Ramadan

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Scouts record 45,000 volunteer hours serving pilgrims at Grand Mosque in Ramadan

  • Volunteers guide pilgrims, organize prayers areas, distribute water
  • 600 young men and women scouts will work until end of Ramadan

RIYADH: Volunteers participating in the Umrah service camp supervised by the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association at the Grand Mosque in Makkah have contributed over 45,000 hours during the first half of Ramadan.

Six-hundred young men and women scouts, representing various teams across the Kingdom, participated in the camp’s activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

They helped to guide pilgrims, organize prayer areas, support security and service personnel, care for children, and provide water and fragrances in the Grand Mosque and its courtyards.

The scouts supported the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques and the public security sectors.

Three-hundred scouts participated in guidance and orientation with 22,500 hours, while 180 scouts assisted with public security services for 13,500 hours.

Sixty scouts who participated in the organization of prayer areas recorded 4,500 volunteer hours.

Additionally, 30 scouts participated in the Little Pilgrim Initiative, which focuses on caring for the children of pilgrims while their parents perform Umrah, contributing 2,250 hours.

In support services, 15 scouts participated in the water distribution initiative, contributing 675 hours.

Another 15 scouts contributed to the fragrance distribution initiative in the corridors and courtyards of the Grand Mosque, achieving 1,125 hours.

Camp leader Ziyad Qadir said the services of the scouts would continue until the end of Ramadan. He said the camps develop a sense of social responsibility and national belonging among young people.