China and Saudi Arabia Begin Joint Naval Training

Chinese newspaper "Global Times" reported, citing the Chinese navy, that China and Saudi Arabia began a joint naval training on Monday. The state-run newspaper stated that the training commenced with a ceremony at a camp in Changyang, Guangdong Province, southern China, where hundreds of soldiers from both sides lined up and prepared for the joint training. This report follows the announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Defense last month that both sides planned to start joint naval training in October, marking the second training of its kind between the two countries. Analysts and experts told "Global Times" that the initiation of this second training indicates that China and Saudi Arabia have made these maneuvers a regular occurrence as they aim to strengthen their military cooperation among other areas.