Chinese navy commander Hu Zhongming and ships attend Russia’s annual naval parade
Hu, with extensive maritime experience and a background as a former submarine captain, succeeded Dong Jun, the former top naval commander who later became China’s defence minister.
Hu’s visit to Russia comes as security ties between the two nations have continued to strengthen since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
This month, the navies of China and Russia conducted “Joint Sea-2024” maritime exercises along China’s southern coast
The two sides also conducted a separate maritime patrol extending from the northern Pacific to the South China Sea, waters that have seen increased tensions, notably between Beijing and Manila over the Second Thomas Shoal dispute.
The naval parade on Sunday featured a display of friendship between the two sides, with Putin greeting the international sailors, including those from China’s Type 052D guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo.
The Chinese sailors responded with “long live friendship” to Putin’s greetings to them, according to Russian media.
The Jiaozuo, along with the Type 903A replenishment ship Honghu – both part of the Chinese navy’s 46th escort task group – arrived in St Petersburg on July 22 to attend the celebrations and were open for public tours, according to CCTV.
It marks the first time in five years that China’s navy has sent warships to take part in Russian Navy Day celebrations, and the third overall, following participation in 2017 and 2019, the CCTV report said.
Additionally, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China’s defence ministry, announced at Thursday’s press conference that China’s Longhushan landing ship and Zhenghe training ship would visit Vladivostok to join Russian naval celebrations in late July.
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China airs footage of Fujian aircraft carrier featuring advanced catapult launch system
On Thursday, Russian and Chinese air forces conducted a joint strategic aerial patrol over the Bering Sea, Zhang said.
The main naval parade featured 200 ships and boats to mark the 328th anniversary of the Russian navy, according to Russian media.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy has expanded rapidly in recent years. The Pentagon’s 2023 China Military Power Report estimates that China’s navy now boasts around 370 warships, making it the largest navy in the world.