DARWIN PORT, AUSTRALIA, Sept. 17 (ChinaMil) -- The Chinese naval guided-missile frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) set sail from the Darwin Port in Australia on the morning of September 15 to return home, after completing the multinational naval exercise “Kakadu-2018”.

At 10 a.m., the Chinese frigate Huangshan (Hull 570), guided by an Australian marine pilot, sailed slowly away from the East Arm Wharf of the Darwin Port. When the Chinese frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) passed by various anchored vessels of other participating countries, the foreign navy sailors spontaneously waved farewell to the Chinese sailors.

It is reported that the multinational naval exercise “Kakadu-2018”, hosted biennially by the Royal Australian Navy, involved naval forces and observers from 27 countries, including China, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This is the first time that the Chinese Navy has been invited to participate in the exercise since it began in 1993.

The frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) set sail on August 21 from a military port in Zhanjiang city of east China's Guangdong Province and arrived at the Darwin Port in Australia on August 30, local time.

During the port call, the sailors assigned to the frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) participated in many cultural and sports activities such as the “Kakadu Cup” friendly sports games and an international cultural festival.

During the maritime phase of the Kakadu exercise from September 6 to 13, the frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) remarkably accomplished many training subjects, including tactical maneuvers of deck officers, screening formation, main-gun firing, air-defense operations, rescuing drowning personnel, replenishment-at-sea, joint anti-submarine operations, and maritime confrontations.

On the morning of September 13, the Chinese frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) participated in the aerial photography of the warship formation involving the 22 participating navy vessels from 16 countries in the Beagle Bay. This is the first time that the Chinese PLA Navy vessel was included in the aerial photography of the exercise Kakadu.

Later, the Chinese naval officers and soldiers attended the closing ceremony and summing-up meeting of the naval exercise, exchanging experiences with other participants.

“Congratulations to the Chinese Navy on the success of the exercise. You have been very professional under all aspects,” Rear Admiral Jonathan Dallas Mead, Commander of the Australian Fleet, said in an interview, adding that "China and Australia would establish a more powerful and positive military relationship and further enhance mutual understanding and trust through this exercise."

The debut participation of the Chinese frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) on behalf of the Chinese PLA Navy in the multinational naval exercise “Kakadu-2018” has effectively enhanced its understanding, trust, friendship, and cooperation with navies of all the participating countries. It has also fully demonstrated the professionalism of the Chinese naval officers and soldiers who were highly praised by navies of Australia and other participating countries.

During the exercise, the Chinese frigate Huangshan (Hull 570) received the 581th service voluntarily provided by the replenishment ship HMAS Sirius attached to the Royal Australian Navy.