Vietnamese and Chinese Naval Vessels Stage Joint Drills

(DTO) On July 12, Naval Region 2 announced that it had deployed Ship 380 from Brigade 167 to participate in a joint exercise at sea with a Chinese naval task group consisting of the training ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 83) and the amphibious landing ship Kunlun Shan (Hull 998). 

The activity, part of the Chinese naval task group’s visit to Ho Chi Minh City, aimed to implement the shared understanding reached by the senior leaders of the two Parties, the two States, and the two militaries on advancing more substantive defense cooperation, strengthening mutual trust and understanding between the two navies in particular and the two armed forces in general, while further deepening the Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. 

Despite stormy weather and strong winds, both sides successfully completed the planned training activities, including maneuvering in line-abreast and column formations, exchanging information using international signal codes during a passing exercise (PASSEX), implementing the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), and conducting coordinated maritime search and rescue operations. 

Earlier, on July 8, officers from Brigade 167 met with their Chinese counterparts to discuss and finalize the exercise program and exercise disciplines, and also toured the training ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 83). 

The joint exercise provided officers and sailors from both navies with an opportunity to exchange experience in formation maneuvering, implementing the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), and coordinating maritime search and rescue operations. The activity also helped improve operational coordination, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and further strengthen cooperation between the two navies. 

By VAN DUONG - TUAN LAM
Translated by ANH DUC