Chinese and Australian Navies Launch Joint Military Exercises

Chinese and Australian navies have launched joint military exercises in the waters off East China's port city of Qingdao. This is the first time the Chinese navy has launches a live-fire drill with another naval force near the Chinese coast.Our reporter Zhang Cheng has more.

Warramunga is liaising with the Chinese frigate "Luoyang" in a live-fire exercise.

Bruce Legge, captain of the Australian frigate was delighted with the result.

"It was very successful. Both ships fired accurately…we were accurate too. Both ships engaged the target very quickly, efficiently."

Legge says besides the live-fire exercise the two navies had also launched communication exercises, helicopter transfers and search-and-rescue exercises.

"I think the most exiting thing is the live-fire part. My understanding is that it's the first time Chinese navy has done this with another navy. The fact they've chosen to do that with the Royal Australian navy and Warramunga is quite exciting to me. "

The feature part of the drill had been their ability to conduct personal exchanges, he said, with 10 officers and sailors from each side visiting and observing the other's ship.

Ding Wanguo, Captain of the Chinese frigate" Luoyang", also enthused about the joint drill.

"I think today's drill was very successful and met our expectations. It helps us to have a deeper understanding of the weaponry and training level of foreign naval forces. Meanwhile, it lays a solid foundation for mutual cooperation with the Australian navy."

Huang Xueping, a senior officer at China's Ministry of National Defense, thinks the exchange represents a big step forward.

"The highlight of the Australian warship's visit has been its relatively long duration and multiple, practical aspects of the joint military drill. I believe the Australian Warship's visit will push forward practical cooperation between two navies."

The Warramunga arrived in Qingdao last week with the aim of promoting cooperation between the two navies and enhancing mutual trust.

Its next stop is Zhan Jiang in south China's Guangdong, where Special Naval Forces from both countries will conduct joint military exercises on land.

For CRI, I'm Zhang Cheng in Qingdao.