JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21 (NNN-BUANEWS) – The 42nd Chinese naval escort fleet, consisting of the guided-missile destroyer, Huainan, the missile frigate, Rizhao, and a supply vessel, arrived at the Port of Richards Bay, South Africa, to participate in a joint maritime exercise held by China, Russia and South Africa.
The South African naval force held a grand welcoming ceremony at the dock, to celebrate the occasion.
More than 60 people, including Acting Chinese Consul General in Durban, Sun Anlin, officials of South Africa’s military and representatives of overseas Chinese, welcomed the arrival of the fleet, as Frigate Rizhao successfully docked at the Port of Richards Bay at 5.00 p.m. local time, Sunday.
The drill, which is being held in the eastern waters and airspace from Durban to Richards Bay, is the second joint maritime exercise conducted by the naval forces of the three countries, since 2019.
The joint exercise will be held in two phases, including port and sea. While at the port, the three navies will also hold consultations on joint maritime exercise subjects, and carry out exchange activities, such as ball games.
The Chinese fleet set sail from Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on Sept 21, 2022, for the 42nd escort mission, in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. They have escorted a total of 29 Chinese and foreign ships in the mission.– NNN-BUANEWS
