A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet comprising three warships arrived in Tanzania on Wednesday for joint exercises with armed forces units of Tanzania and Mozambique, a Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesman, said that the exercises will focus on counter-terrorism.
"Armed forces of China, Tanzania and Mozambique will hold the 'Peace Unity-2024' joint exercise from late July to mid-August. The subject of the exercise is joint counter-terrorism military operations, which will be conducted both on land and at sea. The joint exercise aims to enhancing the capabilities of participating troops in joint counter-terrorism operations, and deepening military mutual trust and practical cooperation. It will also be conducive for the three countries to jointly preserving regional peace and stability," Zhang said.
Upon the arrival at the Dar es Salaam Port of Tanzania, the Chinese naval fleet was greeted with a grand welcoming ceremony. The attendees at the ceremony included Commander of the Tanzanian Navy Ameir Ramadhan Hassan, other military and political officials of the host country, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian and other staff members of the Chinese Embassy to Tanzania, local residents, overseas Chinese and representatives from Chinese companies operating in the country.
"During the joint maritime exercises, training will be organized, with the involvement of multiple regions, multiple arms of service, and multiple subjects, aiming to promote professional exchanges between the Chinese and Tanzanian navies, strengthen pragmatic maritime security cooperation, and fully demonstrate the positive image of the People's Liberation Army Navy in the new era," said Senior Colonel Li Bo, Chinese naval formation commander.
Chinese naval fleet arrives in Tanzania for joint exercises
