A Chinese naval fleet left Ningbo,?port city in east China's Zhejiang Province, Monday for Pakistan to participate in multi-national maritime military exercises.

The "Peace-07" exercises, sponsored by the Pakistani navy, will involve warships, aircraft or special armed units from China, the United States, Britain, France, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey.

The exercises are aimed at promoting cooperation and exchanges among the navies and raise their capability of combating terrorist attacks and taking joint actions as there are increasing maritime terrorist threats and challenges.

This is the first time for a Chinese naval fleet to take part in multinational military exercises. The fleet consists of two frigates, namely, "Lianyungang" and "Sanming".

The Chinese navy will take this opportunity to enhance cooperation with foreign counterparts and help build up its capability in anti-terrorism and cooperation with foreign armed forces, according to the foreign affairs office of China's National Defense Ministry.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2007)