The joint maritime exercises between China and France scheduled
for Tuesday will be the most comprehensive military exercises
between China and foreign countries so far, the captain of a
Chinese warship said in Qingdao Monday.
The French naval fleet arrived in Qingdao, a port city in east
China's Shandong
Province, Friday morning for the joint exercises with the North
China Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. The two
sides will conduct the first naval drills in the area.
Ju Xinchun, captain of the Chinese guided missile destroyer
Harbin, said the drills will involve refueling exercises at
sea.
The French fleet with 322 crew members aboard includes
anti-submarine-warfare destroyer Latouche-Treville and a light
frigate Commandant Birot.
Ju Xinchun, 39, said the French navy, founded in the 17th
century, had a long history and strong combat effectiveness. "The
French navy is experienced and we are eager to learn from them
their experience in coordination skills in joint military
exercises," said Ju.
"We have had only four days for detailed consultations on
preparation work since their arrival," said Ju. "Until now, the two
sides have cooperated very well with two formal consultations as
well as several contacts between different groups."
The one-day exercise includes ship and shipboard helicopter
tactic maneuvers, refueling exercises at sea, communication and
search and rescue exercise, sources from the North China Sea Fleet
of the PLA Navy said.
Ju said all detailed consultations between the two sides are
directly between the warships, officers and soldiers, which is in
line with the international practice.
The guided missile destroyer Harbin is an advanced destroyer
made in China and began operation in 1994. It has visited eight
countries during its four friendly visits to foreign countries.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2004)