Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, attended and delivered a speech at the ceremony. The event also saw the attendance of militaries from China and five ASEAN countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
For the Vietnamese part, Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Naval Service; Senior Captain Do Minh, Second-in-Command of Naval Region 4; and the delegation of Frigate 016-Quang Trung led by Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 4 Senior Captain Nguyen Van Ngan attended the event.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng emphasized the long-standing friendship and cooperative relationship between China and participating countries, hoping that the participating forces would show their competence and close collaboration to fulfill all the contents of the exercise, contributing to expanding and deepening relations among countries.
For his part, Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh said that the world and the region are currently confronting many non-traditional security challenges, including terrorism, climate change, piracy and armed robbery at sea, among others. The increasingly complex nature of these challenges requires participating countries to strengthen cooperation to respond to them in an effective manner.
He also evaluated that the “Peace and Friendship - 2023" exercise offers participating countries’ militaries an opportunity to promote exchange and cooperation in military, thereby enhancing trust and mutual understanding, as well as raising capability to fight against terrorism, and maintaining maritime security in the region.
He believed that the success of the exercise will contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region and the world.
As planned, the "Peace and Friendship - 2023" exercise comprises two main contents: field exercises on land and at sea. The militaries of China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia will engage in the field exercise on land. Meanwhile, frigates from China, Vietnam and Malaysia will take part in the field exercise at sea.
The participating forces will take part in such activities as ship control simulation training; protection of ship’s vitality; practice of giving first aid to wounded soldiers and operating helicopter deck equipment, anti-piracy, search and rescue; table-top exercise; and cultural, sports, and culinary exchanges. The field exercise at sea will feature the contents of communication, maneuvering in formation, anchorage guard, and anti-piracy.
Below are some photos of the ceremony.
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An overview of the launching ceremony of the “Peace and Friendship - 2023” exercise |
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The military delegation of the Vietnam People’s Army and other countries |
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Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh speaking at the ceremony |
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Participating troops at the event |
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Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng delivers a speech to kick off the exercise. |
Translated by Quynh Oanh