An amphibious armored detachment of China's 74th Army Group, together with a navy landing ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), has conducted a day-and-night multi-course training in unfamiliar waters to enhance the force's at-sea combat capability.
Various types of military cars, including amphibious armored assault vehicles and infantry combat vehicles, formed a tactical formation during the voyage and maneuvered to the target sea area several kilometers away.
Upon arrival in the exercise waters, the soldiers immediately started daytime and nighttime training on embarking and disembarking the landing ship.
Getting on and off the landing ship is an important link for an amphibious force to deliver troops and materials between ship and shore under combat conditions, which is difficult and challenging due to the winds and wave undulations on the sea. With the close cooperation of the instructors and crew members, the soldiers successfully drove the amphibious vehicle quickly into the landing ship and fixed them in the cabin.
The nighttime training was more complicated for the armored vehicle drivers because of reduced visibility. They constantly adjusted and corrected the course of the vehicles according to instructions, and managed to complete the task under the complex sea conditions.
PLA amphibious armored force, landing ship conduct day-and-night maritime training
PLA amphibious armored force, landing ship conduct day-and-night maritime training
China urges companies to make independent, interest-aligned business decisions free from external political interference, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday.
Mao's comments came in response to a BBC report on Thursday in which Tadashi Yanai, CEO of Fast Retailing - the parent company of the global clothing brand Uniqlo - stated that the company does not source cotton from China's Xinjiang region.
"Cotton from the Xinjiang region is among the best in the world. We hope relevant company will overcome political pressure and malign disruption, and independently make business decisions that serve its own interests," Mao said.
Speaking to the BBC in Tokyo, Yanai explained the company's focus on greater transparency regarding the sourcing and manufacturing of its materials, stating that Uniqlo does not use Xinjiang cotton.
However, in a recent interview with Nikkei Asia, Yanai reiterated that production in China remains crucial for the company.
Figures show that as of Oct 31, Uniqlo has 927 stores on the Chinese mainland, more than a third of its total of over 2,500 stores worldwide. Among these, nearly 20 new stores opened in September and October this year - including its first store in Sanya, a tourist city in China's southernmost island province of Hainan.
In the 2024 fiscal year, Uniqlo's sales revenue in Greater China reached a whopping 677 billion yen (about 4.38 billion U.S. dollars), up 9.2 percent year on year, according to Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company.
China urges firms to eliminate political pressure, make independent decisions: spokeswoman
China urges firms to eliminate political pressure, make independent decisions: spokeswoman
