Special forces of Pakistan and China began a two-week long joint training exercise at Qingtongxia, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China on Tuesday.

An impressive opening ceremony for the two-week long joint training exercise, YOUYI 5, was attended by senior military officers of special forces of Pakistan and People Liberation Army. National anthems of both the countries were played on the occasion.

The joint exercise is a part of the “Year of friendship 2015″ which focuses on anti-terrorist operations, hostage situations, rescue missions and search operations.

The YOUYI 5 is being carried out in northern China and will share Pakistan’s experiences in fighting terrorism.

The fourth joint military exercise, YOUYI-4, between the two countries held in November 2011 was termed as a “true manifestation of a famous Chinese phrase that Pakistan-China friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans.” Air forces of both the countries have also been carrying out exercises.

The three-week air exercise titled Shaheen 2 (Falcon 2) in Xinjiang, with focus on air power employment in any future conflict, was the first occasion when an air force of other country participated in such an exercise in the Chinese airspace.