ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China started a joint exercise at an operational base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday, PAF said in a statement.

The exercise, Shaheen-IX, is the ninth in the series of joint air drills of PAF and China's People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) conducted each year in both countries on alternate basis.

“The joint exercise will provide an opportunity to further enhance interoperability of both the air forces," PAF Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Waqas Ahmed Sulehri said, according to the statement, as he welcomed the Chinese contingent.

He added that the drill will "fortify" the "brotherly relations between the two countries."

The PLAAF contingent participating in the drill comprises combat pilots, air defense controllers and technical ground crew.

PLAAF Assistant Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Sun Hong, who was present during the opening ceremony, said the joint exercise will "improve the actual level of combat training and strengthen practical cooperation between the two air forces."