China Navy Ship (NS) Gaoyouhu take part during the multinational naval exercise AMAN-25 in the Arabian Sea near Pakistan's port city of Karachi on February 10, 2025. Photo: VCG

The Pakistan Navy-led AMAN-2025 multinational maritime exercise wrapped up on Tuesday in the Arabian Sea, with senior Pakistani naval officers speaking highly of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's participation during the event.

The AMAN-2025 exercise concluded on Tuesday with an international fleet review following the sea phase of the drill in the Arabian Sea near in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, the Global Times learned from the Pakistan Navy. 

The AMAN-2025 exercise, a significant event for regional naval cooperation, concluded with a commitment to enhancing collective efforts for ensuring maritime security in the region, Pakistani media outlet The Express Tribune said on Tuesday.

The exercise was launched on Friday with an opening ceremony in Karachi. The first three days of the drill were a harbor phase that included seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, international gatherings and sports fixtures, and the sea phase in the last two days featured tactical maneuvers, anti-piracy operations, counter-terrorism operations, search and rescue drills and live-fire shooting exercises, the Pakistan Navy said. 

Representatives from the PLA Navy also participated in the inaugural AMAN Dialogue 2025, which was held from Sunday to Monday concurrently with the AMAN-2025 exercise, according to the Pakistan Navy. 

A PLA Navy formation consisting of the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Baotou and the Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship Gaoyouhu participated in the exercise, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, Commander Pakistan Fleet, said at the opening ceremony on Friday that Pakistan and China are very close friends, and the two countries have excellent navy-to-navy relations. He expects bilateral relations will be boosted through the exercise, according to the CCTV report.

During the harbor phase, Pakistani Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Saturday boarded the PLA Navy's comprehensive supply ship Gaoyouhu for a visit, China Military Online reported on Monday. Ashraf extended his best wishes to the PLA Navy, as he spoke highly of the participation of PLA Navy in the AMAN-2025 and expressed satisfaction with the current cooperation between the Pakistani and Chinese navies.

Ashraf told the Global Times in an exclusive interview shortly prior to the AMAN-2025 exercise, "We have been honored by the regular participation of [the] PLA Navy in all previous editions of AMAN exercises." He noted 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.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that the PLA Navy's participation in the AMAN exercises showed support to the Pakistan-led multilateral security mechanism as well as the determination of the two countries to jointly safeguard regional security.

According to the Pakistan Navy, observers from some 60 countries participated in the exercise. In addition to China, countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the US also sent vessels to the drill.

Zhang noted the participation of some NATO members in the drill. He said that the exercise offered the PLA Navy a chance to boost mutual understanding with foreign navies, and it is an opportunity for all navies to learn from each other.