SEOUL, Sept. 9 (AJP) -The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has recently been involved in a series of naval interactions with various ASEAN countries, the PLA Navy said last Saturday.
These activities, which include joint exercises and ship visits, are seen by experts as strengthening regional security cooperation, particularly in light of tensions involving the Philippines.
A joint flotilla exercise between China and Singapore, named Exercise Cooperation 2024, concluded near Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province. The PLA Navy reported that the participating vessels practiced coordinated maritime strikes and search and rescue operations, improving mutual understanding between the two forces.
Following a joint exercise in Africa called Peace Unity 2024, another Chinese naval group made a brief stop at Vietnam's Cam Ranh Port. During this three-day visit, sailors from both nations are planning professional exchanges, joint drills, and reciprocal ship tours.
In Shanghai, the Indonesian Navy's training ship KRI Bima Suci arrived for a five-day goodwill visit. The itinerary includes deck receptions, ship tours, and professional discussions between the Chinese and Indonesian naval personnel.
Additionally, Cambodian media reported that China intends to provide two Type 056 corvettes to Cambodia, following a request from the Cambodian government. These vessels are expected to be delivered by 2025 or later, as part of efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation.
These naval interactions demonstrate China's ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime ties with its Southeast Asian neighbors, potentially as a strategy to maintain regional influence and security cooperation.
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