China, Iran, Russia to conduct joint naval exercise

The navies of China, Iran and Russia will conduct the "Security Belt-2025" joint exercise near Iran's Chabahar port in early-to-mid March, China's Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday.

The drills will involve exercises on striking maritime targets, boarding and seizing, damage control and joint search and rescue, the ministry said.

The exercises aim to deepen military mutual trust and practical cooperation among the participating countries, it said.

China will dispatch its 47th naval escort taskforce, including the guided-missile destroyer CNS Baotou and the comprehensive supply ship CNS Gaoyouhu, which are currently conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia, to participate in the drills, according to the statement.