China-Pakistan to conduct joint military exercise 'Warrior-VIII'

The Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will send troops to Pakistan for a joint anti-terrorism exercise set to take place from late November to mid-December, China’s Ministry of National Defence announced on Tuesday.

The operation, titled “Warrior-VIII,” will centre on collaborative counter-terrorism tactics and strike manoeuvres. According to the ministry, the exercise will include multi-tier and mixed training across various specialities, with live drills designed to simulate real combat scenarios.

This marks the eighth joint exercise between Chinese and Pakistani forces in the “Warrior” series, which aims to foster operational cooperation and bolster both nations' counter-terrorism capacities. The previous joint exercise took place in 2019.

The Ministry of National Defence highlighted that this year’s drills underscore the commitment of both sides to deepen practical military exchanges, with the goal of reinforcing their capabilities in joint anti-terror operations.