After completing port calls in Madagascar and Australia, ships from the Chinese PLA Navy’s 25th Task Group arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, on June 15.
The ships are on a goodwill visit tour in Asia Pacific following their counter-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden.
Composed of two Type 054A frigates, Hengyang and Yulin, and replenishment ship Hongh, the Task Group is led by Rear Admiral Zhao Jicheng who will call on senior New Zealand Navy leadership while the task group ships will take part in maneuvers and drills with New Zealand units.
The Chinese Navy has another three-ship group conducting overseas port visits and training.
Type 052C destroyer ‘Changchun’, Type 054A frigate ‘Jingzhou’ and Type 903A replenishment ship ‘Chaohu’ are currently in the Persian Gulf where they are set to visit Iran after concluding their visit to Pakistan on June 14.