The 40th Joint Patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin Between China and Vietnam Successfully Concluded

The 40th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between China and Vietnam successfully concluded on March 20. This joint patrol lasted for two days, with the naval task force consisting of the Chinese Navy's Hengyang and Enshi ships, and Vietnam's Navy's "Tran Hung Dao" and "Ly Thai To" ships. During the patrol, both sides also organized joint escort, anti-piracy, and search and rescue training exercises.

For this joint patrol, the naval task forces from China and Vietnam set sail from Fangchenggang, Guangxi. In the joint anti-piracy drill, each side had a merchant ship simulate being attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Tonkin and sent out a distress signal. After confirming the information, the task force rapidly maneuvered to the scene to handle the situation, with personnel organizing loudspeaker warnings to drive away the pirates. When various warning measures proved ineffective, they implemented firepower strikes against the pirates, successfully rescuing the trapped merchant ship.

The joint search and rescue exercise was based on the scenario of crew members from both countries' cargo ships accidentally falling into the sea. After intense searching, both sides successively discovered the "overboard personnel" from each other and successfully rescued them.

During the patrol process, both sides also exchanged command authority of the task force in phases and shared information elements to comprehensively grasp the maritime situation. On the afternoon of the 20th, the naval task force arrived at the end point of the patrol line and held a separation ceremony, marking the successful conclusion of the 40th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between the Chinese and Vietnamese navies.