China-Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Joint Patrol and Maritime Joint Training Concluded
On the afternoon of the 20th, after completing the assigned tasks, the naval fleets of China and Vietnam held a separation ceremony, marking the successful conclusion of the 40th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin and the first joint training at sea. Thus, the 10th border defense friendly exchange activity between China and Vietnam came to a successful end.
△ Joint training on search and rescue of persons overboard.
The naval fleets of China and Vietnam consisted of the Chinese Navy's Hengyang and Enshi ships, and Vietnam's "Tran Hung Dao" and "Ly Thai To" ships. Previously, the fleet had completed troop assembly and port exchange activities in Fangchenggang, Guangxi. After the departure ceremony, the joint patrol began, with the fleet cruising in an orderly manner along the boundary line of the Gulf of Tonkin in double columns. Both sides exchanged command authority in phases as planned, shared information elements, and comprehensively grasped the maritime situation. After a period of sailing, the fleet arrived at the designated maritime area and immediately engaged in joint training at sea, completing tasks such as escorting simulated merchant ships, using artillery and machine guns to strike "pirate" targets, and conducting joint search and rescue of persons overboard. During the separation ceremony, both sides exchanged farewell messages via radio, and the officers and soldiers lined up on the deck to wave goodbye.
△ Chinese officers and soldiers lined up to wave goodbye to their Vietnamese counterparts.
The 10th border defense friendly exchange activity between China and Vietnam was held from March 16 to 20 in relevant areas, ports, and the Gulf of Tonkin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. During the event, both sides successfully organized joint naval fleet patrols and training, border medical consultations, cultural and sports exchanges between military and civilian personnel, and laid wreaths at the monument to the revolutionary martyrs of the Chinese and Vietnamese people. This exchange activity played a positive role in continuously deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and accelerating the construction of a strategically significant China-Vietnam community of shared future.
Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces concluded their 40th joint patrol and first maritime training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin on March 20, 2023. The exercise involved four naval vessels and included activities such as simulated escort missions and joint rescue operations. This event marked the successful completion of the 10th border defense friendly exchange activities between the two countries.
- The 40th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin was successfully completed.
- The exercise involved naval vessels from both China and Vietnam.
- Joint training included simulated escort missions and rescue operations.
- The event was part of the 10th border defense friendly exchange activities between the two nations.
- The activities took place from March 16 to 20, 2023.