Chinese sailors make observation with optical devices in a coordinated navigation and communication drill in the waters of Cambodia on March 19. (Photo by Liu Jinyu)
PHNOM PENH, March 20 -- The PLA Navy's amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan, which was on duty to deliver the Chinese participating troops for the China-Cambodia joint exercise Golden Dragon-2023, together with two patrol crafts from the Royal Cambodian Navy, conducted a coordinated navigation and communication drill in the waters of Cambodia on March 19.
At around 7:00 am, the ship Jinggangshan, which just arrived in the Cambodian waters after nearly 100-hour sailing for about 1300 nautical miles, met with two patrol crafts of the Cambodian Royal Navy.
Then, with the ship Jinggangshan as the datum ship, the three ships cooperated with each other and completed, in succession, the formation training at the predetermined course and speed, as well as the communication drill while maneuvering towards the designated sea area.
At around 8:20 am, the maritime coordination drill successfully concluded with the separation of the Chinese ship Jinggangshan and the Cambodian patrol crafts. Subsequently, the ship Jinggangshan docked at the Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia.
It is reported that this is the first maritime training exercise between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries. Both sides had conducted multiple consultations on the plan of training courses earlier, laying a good foundation for the successful completion of the exercise.
A Chinese naval officer communicates with her Cambodian counterpart during a coordinated navigation and communication drill in the waters of Cambodia on March 19. (Photo by Gao Yi)
