The joint China-Pakistani drill, Youyi 5 , being conducted in Qingtongxia, located in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China on December 8 (COURTESY OF THE PAKISTANI EMBASSY IN BEIJING)

The two-week long joint training exercise Youyi 5  between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Special Forces of Pakistan started on December 8 in Qingtongxia, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officers from both countries.  

The Youyi 5  is being carried out in the extreme weather conditions of northwest China. It is the fifth time that the two countries have held joint training exercises. Both countries have dispatched 100 training forces, respectively, to participate in the activities. 

The joint exercise, as part of a series of activities celebrating the Year of Friendship 2015 between China and Pakistan, is expected to enhance and further strengthen the already deep military ties between the two neighbors.