China and Saudi Arabia commenced their latest joint naval special operations exercise, Blue Sword-2023, in South China on October 9.
The exercise was inaugurated with a grand opening ceremony held at a camp in Zhanjiang, located in South China’s Guangdong Province. This joint endeavor, which underscored the commitment to bolster military cooperation and ensure peace and stability in the region, saw hundreds of troops from both nations lining up in anticipation of the forthcoming drill.
Blue Sword 2023 Exercise
The three-week exercise will be divided into three phases: a basic training phase, a professional training phase, and a comprehensive drill phase. The comprehensive drill phase features over 20 training subjects, encompassing live-fire shooting, fast-roping from helicopters, cabin searches, underwater reconnaissance, sniping-on-command, and underwater explosives disarming.
This marks the second edition of the Blue Sword series joint exercise, with the first one, Blue Sword-2019, having taken place in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The fact that this exercise is now a routine occurrence underscores the commitment of both China and Saudi Arabia to learning from each other’s strengths. Analysts have noted that Saudi Arabia follows a Western training doctrine, while China has a unique training system that offers its advantages.
Key goals of the joint drill
The primary aim of the Blue Sword-2023 exercise is to foster mutual trust and strengthen friendly relations between the Chinese and Saudi Arabian navies. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the participants’ capabilities in naval combat and comprehensively improve the joint operational capabilities of overseas armed rescue units. The exercise scenario revolves around the hijacking of a commercial ship, and it tasks a China-Saudi Arabia joint naval special operations unit with conducting maritime assault and rescue operations.
Both Chinese and Saudi Arabian navies have been actively involved in escort and anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. This joint naval special operations exercise will undoubtedly enhance the combat training level of both nations’ navies and foster deeper, pragmatic, friendly cooperation.
Zhang Junshe, a Chinese naval expert, emphasized that the training will not only serve as preparation for overseas counter-terrorism operations but also enhance the two countries’ capabilities in safeguarding global maritime security and fulfilling international obligations.
“China has many overseas interests, including investments, cooperation projects and overseas nationals. Sea routes connecting the Middle East to China are also vital to China’s trade and fuel imports,” another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times.
In addition to their joint military exercises, China recently played a crucial role in diplomatic endeavors, having sponsored a Saudi-Iranian normalization deal in the Middle East. Despite its ambitious diplomatic posture, China has adopted a low-profile stance in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy on the Middle East, expressed deep concern over the escalating tension and violence between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
“China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of tension and violence between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, and is saddened by the large number of civilian casualties caused by the conflict,” said Zhai Jun.
“We oppose and condemn acts that harm civilians and call for an immediate ceasefire.”