Vietnamese, Chinese navies conduct joint patrol in Gulf of Tonkin

Key events include high-level meetings between the commanders of the Vietnamese and Chinese patrol fleets, friendly sports exchanges between naval officers and sailors of both countries, and the countries’ 38th joint patrol in the Gulf’s waters.

The Vietnam People's Navy is deploying a naval task group, along with ships 015 and 016, to China to participate in a series of exchange activities and a joint patrol with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin from April 10 to 19.

Key events include high-level meetings between the commanders of the Vietnamese and Chinese patrol fleets, friendly sports exchanges between naval officers and sailors of both countries, and the countries’ 38th joint patrol in the Gulf’s waters.

Taking part in this mission are Vietnam’s most advanced surface combatants – the missile frigates 015 and 016. This marks the first time these modern warships are participating in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The Chinese navy, meanwhile, sends two missile frigates, hull numbers 628 and 630, to the operation.

As part of the joint mission, the two navies will also carry out coordinated training exercises in search and rescue operations and visual signalling./.