China holds naval interactions with ASEAN members
Vessels attached to a frigate flotilla with the navy under the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently held intensive naval interactions including joint exercises and warship visits with several ASEAN member states, a move to enhanced regional cooperation amid tensions stirred up by spats between Coast Guards of Philippines and China in the disputed West Philippines Sea.
A China-Singapore joint flotilla recently held a farewell ceremony in waters near Zhanjiang, South China’s Guangdong Province, wrapping up the successful Exercise Cooperation 2024, the PLA Navy said on Saturday. Warships from the two sides practiced joint strikes against maritime targets as well as search and rescue, and enhanced their tacit understandings.
Another PLA naval flotilla, after completing the Peace Unity 2024 joint exercise in Africa, made a technical stop at Cam Ranh Port, Vietnam on Friday for a three-day replenishment. The Chinese and Vietnamese sailors are scheduled to conduct professional exchanges and joint exercises, in addition to visiting each other’s warships, the PLA Navy said in another press release.
The KRI Bima Suci, a training barque of the Indonesian Navy, on Friday arrived at a naval port in Shanghai for a five-day friendly visit, the PLA Navy said on Saturday. The Chinese and Indonesian navies are scheduled to hold deck receptions, warships visits and professional exchanges.
Cambodian media the Khmer Times reported on Friday that the Chinese government plans to provide two new special naval ships at the request of Cambodia to enhance bilateral cooperation. Lieutenant General Mali Socheata, a Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson, said that the Type 056 corvette vessels are expected to be ready and delivered to Cambodia by 2025 or later.
The recent intensive military exchanges among China and ASEAN member states showed that the main tone in the West Philippines Sea/ Natuna Sea remains one of cooperation and development, as well as peace and stability, despite tensions stirred between Phillippines and China over a few islands and reefs.
