China and Saudi Arabia have started a new joint naval exercise called Blue Sword 2023.
Hosted in China’s Guangdong province, over 100 military members from both nations are taking part.
They’re training to handle maritime security tasks such as rescuing hijacked ships and defusing underwater bombs.
The opening event took place in a Zhanjiang camp. This marks the second time these nations have collaborated militarily.
So, it’s safe to say joint military exercises are becoming a routine for them.
This drill comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East. Both countries announced the drill last month, before the conflict escalated.
China and Saudi Arabia have called for calm and restraint in the region.
Interestingly, the United States is trying to help Saudi Arabia and Israel reach a defense treaty. In return, Saudi Arabia would normalize its relations with Israel.
China is also expanding its influence in the Middle East. Earlier this year, China helped Saudi Arabia and Iran mend their diplomatic ties.
China has also spoken up about the Israel-Palestine conflict, urging peace and calm.
The Blue Sword exercise has three main parts. First is basic training, followed by professional training.
The last stage focuses on comprehensive exercises. These exercises build on a previous drill held in 2019 near Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah port.
In summary, the Blue Sword 2023 exercise aims to strengthen China-Saudi military ties, train troops, and send a signal amid global tensions.
Both nations are keen to grow their military cooperation and geopolitical influence.
Background
This exercise reflects a broader trend of China expanding its military and diplomatic reach.
Historically, China has been cautious about military involvement in the Middle East, but this seems to be changing.
Saudi Arabia, too, is diversifying its alliances, looking beyond its traditional partnership with the United States.
This is especially important as U.S. attention seems to be pivoting to Asia and other global issues.
In the backdrop is the rising tension between Israel and Hamas, making the timing of this exercise even more significant.
It subtly shows that China and Saudi Arabia are willing to deepen their military cooperation in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.