BEIJING: Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Naveed Ashraf has said that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has participated in all previous editions of AMAN exercises, and he expects that PLA Navy will participate in AMAN-25 and is looking forward to hosting PLA Navy leadership during the AMAN dialogue.
In an exclusive interview with Global Times ahead of the AMAN-25 multinational exercise to be hosted by Pakistan Navy in early February in port city of Karachi, he said that the main objective of AMAN is to foster regional cooperation for the maintenance of good order at sea, improving interoperability, share experiences, understand each other, and exhibit united resolve against terrorism and organized crimes in the maritime domain.
He said that the Pakistan Navy is fully prepared and geared up to conduct AMAN-25 with enhanced participation of friendly countries in a professional and befitting manner.
It is worth noting that the previous edition of the exercise held in February 2023, which witnessed the participation from 50 countries across the globe.
“Keeping the same spirit, we are hopeful that this edition will also mark a distinctive chapter in history of AMAN exercises with enhanced participation of friendly countries,” Ashraf said.
Ashraf revealed that the maiden AMAN Dialogue will be held in tandem with AMAN-25.
“The AMAN Dialogue aims to promote understanding in maritime security issues, finding ways to enhance cooperation at sea, and discussing security linked to the blue economy.”
“We have been honored by the regular participation of PLA Navy in all previous editions of AMAN exercises,” Ashraf said, noting that this has added highlights to the exercise and is a reflection of the two countries’ common resolve to come together for peace and security in the region.
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“Similarly, we expect that the PLA Navy will actively participate in AMAN-25 also with suitable representation. As I have mentioned earlier as well, the maiden AMAN Dialogue will also be conducted concurrently with Exercise AMAN. So, we are also looking forward to hosting PLA Navy leadership during the dialogue,” he said.
