The amphibious dock landing ship Wuzhishan docks at a military port in Zhanjiang. (Photo by Huo Yangke)
ZHANJIANG, China, Sept. 12 -- The Chinese naval taskforce successfully concluded the "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise and returned to a military port in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, on Wednesday morning.
The taskforce is composed of the amphibious dock landing ships Wuzhishan (Hull 987) and Qilianshan (Hull 985) and the guided-missile destroyer Hefei (Hull 174) with helicopter units and Marine troops onboard. The taskforce, setting sail from Zhanjiang City on July 4, had travelled more than 17,000 nautical miles in 70 days, traversed 12 international strait waterways, crossed the equator four times, and visited Asia and Africa.
During the voyage, the taskforce organized drills on more than 30 subjects such as sea assault and anti-submarine defense. It had dispatched nearly 200 sorties of helicopters, finished over 30 times of coordinated training with Marine troops onboard and completed nine joint maritime drill subjects, thereby laying solid foundation for the "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise.
After the joint exercise started, the Chinese taskforce conducted drills on nine subjects including joint search and rescue, counter terrorism and anti-piracy under the theme of "joint counter-terrorism military operations" and "jointly safeguarding maritime security" with its Tanzanian and Mozambican counterparts respectively.
During the "Peace Unity-2024" joint exercise, the Chinese naval taskforce called on military and civilian dignitaries of several countries, held exchanges and discussions with foreign military officers, and organized ship open days, deck receptions, friendly games and other activities. It also received more than 700 foreign military and civilian visitors. All the efforts have promoted exchanges and cooperation and conveyed peace and friendship, winning the taskforce wide praise.
The taskforce sails in formation. (Photo by Wang Zhaoqi)
The Chinese and Mozambican sides conduct joint visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS). (Photo by Yan Yong)
The scene of the ship open day. (Photo by Wang Zhaoqi)
