South African navy to host Russian, Chinese counterparts for maritime exercise

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor speaks to members of the media in Pretoria, South Africa, Aug. 8, 2022. Russia and China will conduct naval drills in the Indian Ocean off the coast of South Africa in February 2023 in another indication of their strengthening relationships with Africa's most developed country amid the war in Ukraine and global financial uncertainty. The announcement also comes days before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due to visit South Africa and hold talks with South African counterpart Pandor.[AP]

South Africa will host the naval forces from China and Russia during the multilateral maritime exercise scheduled to take place next month in Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the country's Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans.