China, Pakistan launch 'Shaheen-5' joint air force drill

China and Pakistan on Saturday launched a joint air force exercise in Pakistan, the fifth such drill between the two countries, a military spokesperson has said.

"Shaheen (Eagle)-5" will take place from April 9 to 30, Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke said.

Shaheen-4, which was staged in China last year, featured fighters, fighter bombers as well as airborne early warning and control aircraft.

The two countries also jointly produce the PAC JF-17 Thunder, or as it is know by its original Chinese designationm, the CAC FC-1 Xiaolong fighter jet.

According to Shen, joint military exercises and exchanges between Chinese and Pakistani air forces in recent years had effectively deepened cooperation between the two militaries.

He said that the Chinese air force is willing to further expand exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world and join hands with international peers to handle challenges and crises.

The first such drill was held in Pakistan in March 2011, the second in China's western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in September 2013 and the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014.