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2012-08-15 11:24:09 (Beijing Time) SINA English

Three Chinese warships will launch its maiden joint military drill with the Israeli Navy
within the next two weeks. The unprecedented move has been reportedly hailed by Israel
as a breakthrough in the Sino-Israeli relations, especially in the two powers' military ties.



The vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) docked in Haifa on Monday for
a five-day visit as guests of the Israel Navy, in honor of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic
ties between Beijing and Jerusalem.

China and Israel has pushed their military relations to a new height since 2011. Earlier in
May, the chief of general staff of the Israel Defense Forces paid a return visit to China,
which came after China’s Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA),
General Chen Bingde, toured Israel last year.

Washington is reported to frown on the current Sino-Israeli relations, and will be "keeping
an eye upon the joint military drill," according to some Israeli comments quoted by a Saudi
Arabian newspaper.