KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov. 15 -- The Chinese Navy's frigate Handan on Tuesday docked at Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi to participate in bilateral joint drills in Pakistani waters.

The frigate that belongs to the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy for the Gulf of Aden was warmly welcomed by the senior officials of Pakistan Navy, Chinese officials and diplomats at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi.

During its stay, Handan will take part in the joint drills with Pakistan Navy from Nov. 15 to 21, aiming at enhancing bilateral training level, promoting tactics exchanges and sharing experiences on anti-piracy.

The exercises will include about a dozen tasks such as port leaving under threats, shooting and nighttime patrol surveillance.

During a short meeting between the two sides, Commodore Zaka Ur Rehman of Pakistan Navy expressed his appreciation at the role that the Handan has played in the Gulf of Aden against piracy and said that "China is Pakistan's best friendly and brotherly country. We have arranged bilateral exercises, which hopefully will be very successful, useful and rewarding and will further strengthen our bilateral relations."

For his part, Chi Qingtao, the chief officer of the joint drills from the Chinese side, said that "we hope that our joint bilateral exercises will be a great success. It's a great cooperation between the navy of the two friendly countries."

Chi also briefly introduced the 24th Chinese Navy fleet convoy to Rahman.

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