How significant is Egypt and China’s naval exercise in Mediterranean?
The exercise follows Egyptian President Sisi’s May trip to Beijing, as well as Chinese interest in Egypt’s ports and tech sector.
The navies of China and Egypt trained together in the Mediterranean Sea this week, demonstrating the strategic importance the People’s Republic places on Cairo amid strengthening economic ties.
The 46th Chinese naval escort task force trained with the Egyptian navy north of Alexandria on Monday. The Jiaozuo and Honghu vessels of the People’s Liberation Army and Egypt’s Galala frigate participated in the exercise, which included coordinated communication, vessel formation and underway replenishment. The training followed the task force conducting an official visit to Alexandria from Aug. 15 to 19, China Global Television Network reported.
Chinese naval escort taskforce trains with Egyptian navy pic.twitter.com/bzW6lYkTMJ
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 22, 2024
Egypt did not immediately comment. The Chinese and Egyptian navies last held a naval exercise in the Mediterranean in 2019.
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