NINGBO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese frigate Xiangtan set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Friday for an international live-fire exercise in waters near the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Singapore.
With a displacement of over 4,000 tonnes, frigate Xiangtan will bring a helicopter and a special forces team to join in the exercise, which will last from April 29 to May 15 as a part of the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting-Plus.
Participating vessels will assemble at the port of Busan, the ROK for communication check and opening ceremony from April 29 to May 30 and carry out exercises between May 1 and May 12. The opening day for naval vessels and closing ceremony will be held in Singapore from May 12 to May 15.
Vessels from different countries will conduct exercises including rescuing ships hijacked by pirates, coping with terrorist attacks and helicopter landing.
The ROK and Singapore jointly hold the exercise, aiming to enhance mutual trust and cooperation among participating countries and to address maritime security challenges effectively in the Asia-Pacific region.
Frigate Xiangtan used to carry out escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia in 2016.
