Navy 83 Fleet and Indonesian Navy Organize Ship Visit Activities, Reuniting with "Bima Suci"

Once Again, the "Bima Suci"

■ PLA Daily Reporter Zhang Dan, People's Navy Reporter Cui Xiaohan

The Indonesian Navy's "Bima Suci" sailing training ship docked at Surabaya Port. Photo by Li Kunpeng

In August, at Surabaya Port in Indonesia, friends have come from afar.

The naval task force 83, currently on a friendly visit to Indonesia, organized ship visits with the Indonesian Navy. Chinese naval cadets and officers boarded the Indonesian Navy's "Bima Suci" sailing training ship to reunite with this "old friend" once again.

The "Bima Suci" is truly an "old friend" of the Chinese Navy, having visited China three times in 2019, 2024, and this May. It has also carried Chinese naval cadets for long-distance sailing training, forging a deep friendship between the two sides.

As they boarded the "Bima Suci," Indonesian Navy Captain Husni stood on the deck to welcome the visiting Chinese cadets and officers. "Every time our ship visits China, we receive a warm welcome. This time, as we host our friends from China in our home port, we must reciprocate with the same sincerity." Husni has participated in every visit of the "Bima Suci" to China, which has given him a special feeling towards China. He greatly admires the achievements of the Chinese Navy and the Chinese military's unwavering pursuit of peace.

During exchanges with the crew of the "Qi Jiguang," Husni learned that both the "Bima Suci" and the "Qi Jiguang" were commissioned in 2017 and are also training ships, which surprised and delighted him. "Relying too much on electronic equipment is not conducive to cultivating the traditional navigation skills of officers and soldiers," Husni stated. "On a sailing training ship, cadets must master skills such as celestial navigation, climbing the mast, and hoisting and lowering sails, which can complement the training on maneuverable training ships, forming a complete talent cultivation chain. I hope there will be opportunities for joint training with China's 'Pola' sailing training ship in the future."

Walking on the wooden deck and inside the ship, personnel from both sides discussed topics ranging from ship structure and sail maintenance to long-distance training and meteorological support. Zhu Zhiwei, a staff officer from the 83 task force, was particularly interested in the "Bima Suci" carrying cadets for graduation internships. He told reporters that this was his second time boarding this ship. When the "Bima Suci" first visited China in 2019, he had just graduated from military school and visited the ship, marking his first encounter with a foreign tall ship. Later, he also participated as a representative of the Chinese Navy in the long-distance internship on the Chilean Navy's "Esmeralda" sailing training ship. "The long ocean voyages, variable maritime environments, and high-intensity deck operations effectively hone the resilience and teamwork awareness of officers and soldiers," Zhu said.

For Zhang Yiteng, a cadet from the "Qi Jiguang," this was his first time boarding a sailing training ship. The towering mast reaching into the blue sky made him imagine what it would be like when this ship sets sail with its white sails towards the vast ocean.

The "Bima Suci" sailing training ship relies on wind for navigation. The wind provides the power for the ship to move forward, but it also brings surging waves and violent rocking. Zhang Yiteng was most curious about how the crew copes with the sea's wind and waves during long-distance sailing. An accompanying Indonesian Navy crew member explained to him: "We must have the fighting spirit to battle the wind and waves, with all crew members sharing honor and disgrace, life and death together. On the sailing training ship, a lot of sail raising and mast climbing work requires the crew to cooperate." Zhang Yiteng happily responded, "This aligns perfectly with our cherished spirit of working together and unity."

After walking around the ship and finally stepping off the deck, Zhang Yiteng felt that the visit was not enough. He looks forward to having the opportunity to set sail on a sailing training ship in the future.

After the visit, military representatives from China and Indonesia exchanged ship badges and caps. Yang Yiheng, a cadet from the Kunlun Mountain ship, expressed gratitude to the Indonesian Navy representatives: "We sincerely thank you for your warm hospitality and detailed explanations." He quoted a poem by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling: "The green mountains are one with the clouds and rain, the bright moon has never been two hometowns. China and Indonesia are close neighbors separated by a narrow sea, and even more so, they are friends with deep ties. I wish for the friendship between our two countries and militaries to last forever."

As the sea breeze gently blows, the friendship between China and Indonesia, crossing the azure sea, grows ever stronger.

(PLA Daily, Surabaya, Indonesia, August 4)