The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that Beijing and Riyadh will hold their second-ever joint naval exercises next month, as part of China strengthening its relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Beijing indicated that the exercises known as "Blue Sword 2023" ("Blue Sword 2023") will take place in Guangdong Province in southern China in October.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said in a press briefing, “This joint training focuses on naval operations to combat terrorism abroad, conducting training on sniper tactics, boat driving, helicopter landing, and joint rescue operations.”

The two countries conducted joint naval exercises for the first time in 2019, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Wu explained that the two countries "seek to deepen practical and friendly cooperation between the two armies and improve the level of practical training of the forces."

The exercises come at a time when Beijing seeks to deepen its relations with Riyadh and play the role of a peacemaker in the Middle East.

This year, China sponsored an agreement between rival regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies.