SIHANOUKVILLE, Jan. 14 (ChinaMil) -- The 30th escort taskforce of the Chinese PLA Navy, comprised of the guided-missile frigates Wuhu (Hull 539) and Handan (Hull 579) as well as the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu (Hull 960), left the port of Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s southern coast on January 12 after successfully completing a four-day friendly visit.
The Cambodian side held a grand farewell ceremony for the Chinese naval taskforce at 10 a.m., local time. Staff of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, Chinese military experts for aid missions to Cambodia, staff of China-funded enterprises, as well as overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals in Cambodia saw the Chinese escort taskforce off at the port. Rear Admiral Ros Veasna, Deputy Commander of the Ream Naval Base of the Royal Cambodian Navy, and representatives of Cambodian naval officers and soldiers attended the farewell ceremony.
During the visit, Commander of the Chinese Naval Taskforce Rear Admiral Xu Haihua and Rear Admiral Du Naihua called on Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Cambodia General Tea Banh, Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Vong Pisen, and Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy General Tea Vinh. They also paid courtesy calls to military and government leaders of the Sihanoukville Province.
The representatives of the Chinese naval escort taskforce carried out cultural exchanges such as tug-of-war matches and friendly football matches with the officers and soldiers of the Cambodian Ream Naval Base, which enhanced mutual understanding and trust between the navies of the two countries. The Chinese naval escort taskforce also held activities including deck reception and Vessel Open Day. Cambodian people, representatives of the Cambodian navy officers and overseas Chinese in Cambodia visited the vessels of the Chinese naval escort taskforce.
After departing from the port, the frigate Wuhu and the frigate Handan of the Chinese taskforce and the Cambodian navy ships KO and KA held a formation transformation at sea, and carried out light communications exercise according to the Code For Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). Next, the 30th Chinese naval escort taskforce will head to the Philippines for a friendly visit.
