VLADIVOSTOK, July 12 (Itar-Tass) - Chinese warships left Vladivostok on Friday after participating in the naval manoeuvres together with the Russian Pacific Fleet. After the farewell ceremony, they left the Golden Horn Bay in the Sea of Japan and headed for China.
The next joint exercises of the fleets of the two countries will take place in China in 2014, the head of the Pacific Fleet press service, Roman Martov, said.
Seven Chinese ships -- four destroyers, two frigates and a support vessel -- arrived at the Vladivostok naval base on July 5. The active phase of the exercises took place in the Sea of Japan and the Peter the Great Bay from July 8 to 10. More than 20 ships of the two sides and aircraft of the Pacific Fleet participated in the training operations.
During the three days of manoeuvres, Chinese sailors together with Russians conducted operations to guard and defend ships in an unprotected zone, crossed “dangerous” areas and escorted civilian ships. Russian and Chinese special naval units freed a vessel "seized by pirates".
On the concluding day, the naval forces of the two countries conducted a search and rescue operation to help a vessel in distress, fired from artillery guns at various sea and air targets and searched for and “destroyed” a submarine.
The Chinese commander at the concluding ceremony noted that the joint naval manoeuvres together with the Russian Pacific Fleet became a good school for the Chinese sailors.