Australian & Chinese Forces Rendezvous off Queensland

Three Chinese warships recently conducted a passage exercise off the Queensland coast as part of measures to promote cooperation and understanding between the Royal Australian Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N)in.  

HMAS Darwin joined the Chinese ships in the exercise which allowed the two navies to practice navigation procedures and refine operational cooperation. Australia’s Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett said activities such as this provide both countries with an opportunity to operate in close proximity and increase their knowledge of each other’s operating procedures.

The PLA-N Task Group consisted of three ships - the Luyang Class destroyer Jinan, (DDG-152), the Jiangkai Class frigate Yiyang (FFG-548), and the Fuchi Class replenishment ship Qindaohu. (AOR-886). It completed counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden earlier in 2015 before embarking on a global deployment that took in more than a dozen countries. The task group spent five days in Brisbane in January before setting sail for home in China.

VADM Barrett said the activity was a valuable opportunity for the Royal Australian Navy and the PLA-N to operate together. 

“The Royal Australian Navy works with China and all of Australia’s regional partners to provide a stable and cooperative security environment and encourages constructive relations between all militaries in the region,” VADM Barrett said.

No mention was made of current tensions over China’s build-up in the Spratley Islands and Australia’s (and America’s) contesting freedom of movement through the area.

HMAS Darwin two weeks ago to assume duties as part of Operation Manitou, which is the Australian Government’s contribution to the international effort to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East Region.

HMAS Darwin is the 62nd deployment of an RAN ship to the Middle East.

Photo by Able Seaman Sarah Ebsworth