Chinese Navy to visit three Asian nations for exercises [Archive]

crazyinsane105

11-09-2005, 02:08 AM

ZHANJIANG, Guangdong, Nov. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- A fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy left here Tuesday for a visit to Pakistan, India and Thailand.

The naval fleet, composed of a Shenzhen missile destroyer and a Weishanhu depot ship, is expected to hold joint military drills, the first ever by the Chinese navy in alien sea areas, with navies of the three nations.

Sources with the fleet said the drills will focus on items in non-traditional areas, such as joint search-and-rescue exercises.

Passing four straits, the fleet is expected to enter the Arabian Sea via northern the part of the Indian Ocean. The whole voyage is almost 10,000 sea miles and the sail will last more than 40 days.

Destroyer Shenzhen, China's self-developed missile destroyer, has visited 11 nations in four previous trips. Weishanhu paid its maiden tour to foreign lands, sources said. Enditem

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-11/08/content_3750755.htm

bd popeye

11-09-2005, 02:28 PM

Thanks for posting this article crazyinsane105. I've always been intrested in this sort of subject.

I know back in the early 70's when Soivet ships would visit a port say like Barcelona the sailors on board did not unsupervised liberty(shore leave) they had to go off the ships in groups accompinied by a seinor person. I know we saw this in Barcelona and Genoa. Does anyone know how the PLAN will handle their liberty(shore leave) If there is any?

Thanks!

PiSigma

11-09-2005, 02:41 PM

it's a good idea to have these visits, it cuts down the chances of conflict by a lot. also, exercise with both india and pakistan??? that means that neither of them are complaining, perhaps this will bring pakistan and india closer too, which will definitly be good for the world.

perhaps china will follow the soviet way and have a officer with the sailors at all time, just to make sure they don't do anything stupid or get too drunk. but then again, usually when navies make port calls the sailors are very friendly since it's so good to get off a ship after a long time. remember a few months back when the US navy was in qingdao, it was reported they like the shopping and food. hope it's the same for the chinese navy on this trip.

bd popeye

11-09-2005, 02:53 PM

remember a few months back when the US navy was in qingdao, it was reported they like the shopping and food. hope it's the same for the chinese navy on this trip.

My son's former ship, USS Paul F Foster DD-964, visited Qingdao in 2002.

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2002/11/13.htm

He echoed what you posted. In fact he said it was the best port they visited their entire deployment.

This deployment by the PLAN looks like a spirit of co-operation between thease Asian neighbors. The fact that both India and Pakistian are participating at the same time is a giant step in the right direction to foster that spirit of co-operation in Asia.

MIGleader

11-09-2005, 03:59 PM

why does china keep using shenzhen? why not the new 52bs and cs, and maybe the 54s?

swimmerXC

11-09-2005, 04:13 PM

why does china keep using shenzhen? why not the new 52bs and cs, and maybe the 54s?

correct me if im wrong, but i think 167 is the flagship of the South Sea Fleet... and about the new ships, i don't think china wants to start showing them off yet.. remember they only came a while ago which means the crews trainning abroad might not be proficient compared to the 6 years 167 had... and i guess PLAN doesn't want to show anybody the detailed inside (esp 52C) and electronic systems abroad those ships yet....

MIGleader

11-09-2005, 06:38 PM

so if these are search and rescue missions why would a large destroyer be involved? sholdnt it primarily be small opvs, frigates, and helicopter carriers?

so what ships would the othe two nations be fielding?

jatt

11-09-2005, 07:05 PM

the 054 just got commisoned and the 052C hasn't even been commisoned.

Yimmy

11-09-2005, 08:07 PM

so if these are search and rescue missions why would a large destroyer be involved? sholdnt it primarily be small opvs, frigates, and helicopter carriers?

A destroyer and a frigate are of similar size, their difference being in their role, however it is diferent from navy to navy.

A major combatant is a good asset to have in a seach and rescue exercise, as it provides for a base of operations, along with its helicopter and long range surface search radars.

The real reason why they opted for search and rescue as the focus of the exercises (if that is what they are doing), is most likely to be because it is simple, and hard to screw-up, and so reducing the chance of any of the nations involved embarrassing themselves.

tphuang

11-10-2005, 12:34 AM

In PLAN, destroyer is around 7000 tonne, but a frigate is around 3000.

bd popeye

11-10-2005, 11:18 AM

The real reason why they opted for search and rescue as the focus of the exercises (if that is what they are doing), is most likely to be because it is simple, and hard to screw-up, and so reducing the chance of any of the nations involved embarrassing themselves

Maybe this is just a starter excersise. Nothing complicated so all sides can achieve some sort of accomplishment. I wish them well.

As an USN sailor for 20 years I use to love these type of excersises. It is intresting to see how different navies can work together.

Usally during one of these excersise's what ever CV I was on was required to re-fuel one of the other nations ships. Usally a frigate or DD. Man when we went along side it seems the whole crew of what ever ship we were refueling was on deck taking pictures of our CV and waving etc. Some even held placards with messages on them. It was always a delight to see. One thing I like was the different paint used on the ships. Seems navies use different shades of grey and that grey-green color like the PLAN..I hope one day a USN CVN will refuel a PLAN ship.....Well I can dream can't I??

Dongfeng

11-10-2005, 01:32 PM

bd popeye

11-10-2005, 05:01 PM

When PLAN ships visit foreign ports, their sailors are strictly controlled. Mostly they will attend some group acitivities such as a basketball match with a team from the local navy (they played with USN teams many times), or visit to a museum.

The only time I saw PLA sailors are allowed to go shopping 'freely' was last year when they visited Hong Kong (not really a foreign visit). Chinese state media particularly reported that PLAN sailors went shopping at local shops.

PLAN has so far conducted joint exercise with Pakistan, India and UK. I think we might be able to see a PLAN-USN joint exercise after 2008 if the relation between two countries improves

That would suck.. No fun Navy there.:( I can't imangine that happening to the USN. The USN would restrict your time on liberty depending on the port. For instance have you return to the ship by midnight. Hey do the PLAN sailors have to wear their uniforms on liberty?(sic).

I have hosted JMSDF sailors years ago. The main things those boys want to do is buy American pornography(I'm serious)and get drunk...Real drunk. Also try to find a good Japanese resturant. My son says the JMSDF sailors have not changed much they do the same things...

PLAN and USN excersise after the 2008 Olymipcs?? Humm maybe it could be one CVBG against another?? I'm dreaming..or am I???

crazyinsane105

11-10-2005, 07:56 PM

bd popeye

11-10-2005, 11:39 PM

The reason sailors are restricted from "shopping" most likely because of security issues. Think about it: every sailor aboard that Chinese destroyer knows a large amount about the interiors of that ship. You have any idea how many countries would love to know secrets about Chinese destroyers? The reason is security, nothing else.

Really? Humm? Why is the PLAN so sercrective about it's surface ships? I can't think of any other Navy that does that. I've made tours on numerous different navies ships. Most smaller surface ships combatant ships are similar. So what the big secrect. Yes I've been in CIC on several different ships...Once again..What's the big deal?

Another thing ..why not let the fellows on the ship go on liberty and have a few beers or whatever? That's what all the other navies in the world do. Can't imangine being in a foriegn port and having liberty restriced. No booze, No women, No excitment, No Fun! Just basketball games and trips to cultural sites.BORING!!!. I say let 'dem boys go out and mingle with the locals. That's part of being a sailor.

Hey do PLAN sailors have tatoos? I have two by the way. A butterfly and a Gargoyle. Got 'em in Hong Kong back in '75 in the Wanchi district.... 'cause I was a REAL sailor!

Actually I would love to really talk to a PLAN sailor.

PiSigma

11-11-2005, 01:55 AM

the PLA have a very strict policy on their image, that of course include the navy and air force. correct me if i'm wrong, but as far as i know, tattoos are not allowed, because in asian society it is generally viewed as a bad thing. most of the people in china that have tattoos before (not anymore) are with some kind of organized crime, so it is generally not well received. this is also a reason they don't want their sailors to go to get drunk and pick up women, because it will lose face for them. a sober soldier is less likely to get into a stupid fight with some locals than a drunk one.

chopsticks

11-11-2005, 09:01 AM

Actually I would love to really talk to a PLAN sailor.

i guess u have to start learning Mandarin then... lol...

well i don't think security is as big an issue as the whole "face-saving" thing...
i think PLA just wants to maintain a clean image... and probably wants to avoid clashes and bad plubicity, esp when their at a time that they want to convince the world they are having a peaceful military rise.....

bd popeye

11-11-2005, 11:57 AM

this is also a reason they don't want their sailors to go to get drunk and pick up women, because it will lose face for them. a sober soldier is less likely to get into a stupid fight with some locals than a drunk one.

I agree. Sometimes young men have a hard time controlling themselves. When I visited another country my main goal was to see a few sights, get a good meal. Have a couple of drinks. I've never been a drunkard. Too many sailors get in trouble after abusing alcohol. It was real bad in my day.

I understand the statements of PiSigma and Chopsticks. Every culture is different. Having any service member present a good image is important.

Dongfeng

11-11-2005, 01:21 PM

bd popeye

11-11-2005, 03:45 PM

In fact, when USN ships visited Chinese ports such as Qingdao and Zhanjiang, their sailors were not allowed to have too much fun neither (apart from when they were in Hong Kong). And believe me, every time when there were foreign warships visiting Chinese ports, Chinese security services would follow those foreign sailors wherever they went just in case.

You are correct to an extent. My son and about 80 guys on his ship took a two day tour of Beijing. Cost about $300 USD. They knew they were being watched. They did not travel always as a group. He said it was a great time in China. My son has said more than once that Qindao and Beijing were the top places to visit during his deployment in 2002.

tphuang

11-11-2005, 06:15 PM

I guess they weren't too annoyed by the pollution in Beijing? Although Qingdao is a port, so it's weather is quite nice.

MIGleader

11-11-2005, 07:18 PM

I guess they weren't too annoyed by the pollution in Beijing? Although Qingdao is a port, so it's weather is quite nice.

its not that bad...you can breath and see perfectly well. besides, the ccps cleaning the city up in prep for the 2008 olympics.

Sea Dog

11-11-2005, 08:46 PM

bd popeye

11-11-2005, 10:16 PM

I personally don't think it's so bad about PLAN putting restrictions on it's sailors of this kind. They want to uphold a profesional naval image. Correct me if I'm wrong, bdpopeye, but the USN is currently cleaning up it's sailors during port of calls as well.

Maybe. But guys still get into trouble. Most sailors on liberty are well behaved. But few bad apples can spoil the bunch.

My son tells me that there is not much difference between how liberty is conducted now than when I was on active duty. The biggest difference is that when a sailor gets into trouble. No matter what it may be he gets really hammered at CO's mast. Known as Non Judical punishment. In my day you really had to get into trouble on liberty to go to mast for some offense.

Trouble occuring in port depends on what port it is. In my day Subic Bay & Yokosuka & Naples,Italy had a reputation's for bad behavior, Where a place like Singapore or Palma,Spain had a rep for good behavior...Go figure.

Yimmy

11-12-2005, 09:27 AM

Slightly off-topic, but how did you find Portsmouth popeye?

try to stay away from one-liners, it's something we really hate here. but since your new, i'm going to just remind you. always try to add your opinions to what you say and not just ask a question.

bd popeye

11-12-2005, 12:28 PM

Slightly off-topic, but how did you find Portsmouth popeye?

Since you live in the UK I assume you mean Portsmouth UK? Well sorry to say I've never been there. I know guys that have . They seem to like it. Except for the food. Friendly folks there they say. Back when I was in the USN CV's did not make port calls in Portsmouth as they do now.

sumdud

11-27-2005, 03:17 AM

The 52C has offically been in service since 2004.
And isn't the flagship of South Fleet Qinghaihu 885 the Replenishment ship?

Now this, India and Pakistan on 1 trip? Now that's a lot.
But only two ships? How will that contribute to the exercise?

crazyinsane105

11-27-2005, 01:14 PM

Here are some pics of the exercise. I think that the naval exercise was a non conventional one (I think the theme or whatever was for humantarian releif after a natural disaster). Still, why would a 52C be involved in such an exercise?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/25/content_498020.htm

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/25/xin_44110225144159174637.jpg
Chines Navy vessels -- Shenzhen destroyer and Weishanhu depot ship -- join the China-Pakistan Friendship 2005 search and rescue drill in the northern Arabian Sea November 24, 2005. The drill is aimed at improving the joint readiness for humanitarian assistance in case of disasters as typhoons. This is the second China-Pakistan joint navy exercise in the non-conventional security field. newsphoto]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/25/xin_441102251441779245088.jpg
Two Chinese Navy sailors communicate with light signals with Pakistan ships during the drill in the northern Arabian Sea November 24, 2005. [newsphoto]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/25/xin_44110225144191966689.jpg
A Chinese Navy helicopter guides the search and rescue operation in a China-Pakistan joint drill in the northern Arabian Sea November 24, 2005. [newsphoto

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-11/25/xin_451102251441060406710.jpg
A helicopter takes off the Navy vessel for a research and rescue operation in a China-Pakistan joint drill in the northern Arabian Sea November 24, 2005. [newsphoto]

bd popeye

12-05-2005, 03:37 PM

crazy, Those are nice pictures. But the last one of the helo taking off has been touched up(PS) a bit. There is no signs of roto was(exhaust) comming from that helo. Plus the helo and flight deck of the 167 are way to clean. I'm sure the pic is real and I appalaud your ablity to post these new pics but I think that pic is touched up for plubicity sake. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Keep up the good pics!:)

sadim81

12-08-2005, 08:25 PM

Hi everyone, just wanna say what a great site you guys have here. As an amateur military enthusiast I have been able to learn a bundle from reading all the old posts, and we certainly have lots of interesting topics here!

anyway here are some more pictures from the recent Naval Exercises.

167 Shanghai and 887 Weishanhu departing China
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/2005-11-09/U1220P27T1D329522F3DT20051109093045.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/2005-11-09/U1220P27T1D329522F26DT20051109093045.jpg

Resuplying at sea
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-14/U1220P27T1D330791F3DT20051114092954.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-14/U1220P27T1D330793F3DT20051114093011.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-14/U1220P27T1D330795F3DT20051114093027.jpg

sadim81

12-08-2005, 08:32 PM

Shanghai and Weishanhu in Pakistan
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-22/U1335P27T1D332592F3DT20051122083915.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-22/U1335P27T1D332593F3DT20051122083930.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-24/U1220P27T1D333335F3DT20051124144523.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-24/U1220P27T1D333335F26DT20051124144523.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-22/U1335P27T1D332596F3DT20051122084031.jpg

sadim81

12-08-2005, 08:37 PM

Shanghai and Weishanhu in India
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334230F26DT20051129093643.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334230F3DT20051129113040.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334230F318DT20051129093643.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334230F319DT20051129093643.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334234F3DT20051129093021.jpg

sadim81

12-08-2005, 08:48 PM

India Continued...
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334236F3DT20051129093034.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-11-29/U1220P27T1D334235F3DT20051129093025.jpg
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/p/2005-12-01/U36P27T1D334802F3DT20051201170927.jpg

Finally, Thailand (7th Dec.)
http://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/2005-12-07/U36P27T1D336229F3DT20051207175128.jpghttp://image2.sina.com.cn/jc/2005-12-07/U36P27T1D336229F318DT20051207175128.jpg

More Pictures and captions (in Chinese) can be found at http://jczs.sina.com.cn/sz/167cfny/index.shtml

I would appreciate it very much if some of the forum members could translate a few of the articles as I can't read any chinese. Thanks in advance!