Iranian, Chinese joint military exercises kick off in Persian Gulf

Iranian fleet has partaken in the exercise with a destroyer and a helicopter and the Chinese have brought two destroyers, one logistic ship, and one helicopter.

The Chinese navy entered Bandar Abbas on Thursday and was warmly welcomed by the Iranian navy officers and many Chinese people residing in Bandar Abbas.

Commander of the First Naval Base Rear Admiral Amir Hossein Azad in a joint press conference with commander of Chinese visiting’ fleet-150’ in Bandar Abbas on Thursday evening said that the maneuver will be held in the east of the Hormuz Strait and north of the Indian Ocean.

The commander added that in fighting against the ominous phenomenon of piracy, defending trade fleets, and carrying out relief and rescue operations, the two navies have collaboration and exchange useful information.

Rear Admiral Shen Hao, Commander of China Navy Task Force Group 150 said holding the maneuver had already been planned and the successful execution of the program will help develop more friendship, promote interaction and strengthen confidence between the two navies of Iran and China.

He called Iran and China two ancient and civilized countries of Asia with a long history of friendship, adding that by exchanging high ranking delegations in recent years, cooperation between the two navies have entered into a new phase.

The flotilla is the second Chinese warship group to dock in Bandar Abbas since September 2014.

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