Official announcement! China Arab Joint "Taking a Historic Step" | Air Force | Official Announcement
According to a report on the website of American diplomats on August 2nd, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced that China and the United Arab Emirates will hold their first joint air force training in China in August. This marks a historic step in the defense and security relationship between the two countries.
The report states that this move can be seen as another attempt by Beijing, following the groundbreaking Saudi Arabia Iran agreement mediated by China in March this year.
On July 31st, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that according to the annual plan and the consensus reached by China and Arab countries, the joint training of the Falcon Shield 2023 air force will be held in Xinjiang, China in August. This is the first joint air force training between China and Arab countries.
The department stated in a press release that this move aims to deepen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, enhance mutual understanding and trust.
Earlier this year, China announced that it had signed a contract to export its self-developed L15 trainer aircraft to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated at the time that it planned to purchase 12 L15 trainer aircraft and may purchase another 36 aircraft of the same type in the future.
The report also stated that the United Arab Emirates has been supporting Washington for a long time, and the US military has been stationed in the country for many years. But in recent years, with the so-called "shale gas revolution" making the United States no longer dependent on Middle Eastern oil, its diplomatic presence in the region has begun to weaken. As a major importer of crude oil, China is striving to strengthen its influence in the local area.