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

(China Daily European Weekly 03/07/2014 page16)