Ship-shape and sharp
In month-long spell at sea, navy personnel put defenses to the test
The People's Liberation Army navy has tested its combat capabilities on the open seas in a recent long-distance training mission.
"The mission enabled us to enrich our experience in defending against enemy aircraft, missiles and submarines, which have been significant challenges for us," says Lieutenant Admiral Jiang Weilie, commander of the PLA navy's South Sea Fleet.
Jiang made the remarks as a group of combat ships from his fleet ended a month-long patrol-training mission. The amphibious landing craft Changbaishan, and missile destroyers Haikou and Wuhan performed training operations, including supportive engagement, which means helping other ships that are exchanging fire with hostile forces, and commanding tactics around waters in the South China Sea, the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It was the first long-distance outing of the Chinese navy this year, Jiang says, noting that captains of the warships taking part in the operation were subjected to a host of rigorous tests to examine whether they can carry out their demanding duties.
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
| Ships of the PLA navy's South Sea Fleet in the South China Sea. Gan Jun / for China Daily |
| Marines carry out anti-piracy drills. Gan Jun / for China Daily |
| A PLA navy soldier on duty at a reef in the Nansha Islands. Gao Yi / for China Daily |
| Helicopters aboard the amphibious landing craft Changbaishan take part in search-and-rescue training. Gan Jun / for China Daily |
| A display of firepower in an exercise on the Changbaishan. Gan Jun / for China Daily |
| Too close for comfort: Many Chinese have haircuts on March 2, which is Feb 2 on the Chinese lunar calendar, a traditional Chinese festival called Long Tai Tou, because having a haircut in lunar January is regarded as inauspicious. Long Wei / for China Daily |
| Farewell to the past: At a community in Lhasa, Tibetans gather together to celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year, on March 2. Jue Guo / Xinhua |
| Modern family: A flamingo couple tend to their baby in Shenzhen Safari Park on March 2. Li Musheng / for China Daily |
| Gloves off : Retired boxer Evander Holyfi eld, now a trainer, meets his first student in Asia - Chinese boxer Zhang Junlong - in Qingdao on Feb 27. He Yi / for China Daily |
| Ghost busters: People gathered for the Beating the Ghost ceremony at Yonghegong Lama Temple in Beijing on Feb 28, praying for peace and joy. Feng Yongbin / China Daily |
(China Daily Africa Weekly 03/07/2014 page16)
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