BEIJING: China will hold naval and air exercises with Russia, South Africa and other BRICS countries off South Africa’s coast in early to mid January, China’s defense ministry said in a statement released on Friday. The ministry called the exercises “joint operations to safeguard vital shipping lanes and economic activities.” Strikes on maritime targets and counter-terrorism rescues will be part of the drills, it said.

SIMON’S TOWN, South Africa: Chinese and Iranian warships were docked off South Africa’s main navy base Thursday ahead of exercises that officials said were also meant to involve…

BEIJING: China will hold naval and air exercises with Russia, South Africa and other BRICS countries off South Africa’s coast in early to mid January, China’s defense ministry…