The Vietnam People's Navy and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy conducted the 37th joint patrol.

From December 2 to 5, in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Vietnam People's Navy and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy conducted the 37th joint patrol and search and rescue exercise.

Photo 1: Lieutenant Colonel Bui Duy Tuong directs joint patrol — Lieutenant Colonel Bui Duy Tuong directed the joint patrol.

Participating in the joint patrol, the Vietnam People's Navy had Squadron 266 and 267 (flagship 266) of Brigade 170, Naval Region 1, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bui Duy Tuong, Brigade Commander, and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Kien, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 170, Naval Region 1.

The People's Liberation Army Navy sent two frigates numbered 629 and 649 (flagship 629) of the 18th Frigate Squadron commanded by Senior Colonel Zhou Yanxing, Chief of Staff of the Squadron, and Senior Colonel Cheng Hongbo, Political Commissar of the 18th Frigate Squadron, People's Liberation Army Navy.

Photo 2: Fireworks during joint search and rescue exercise — Fire flares for joint search and rescue training.

At 7:30 a.m. on December 3, the Navies of the two countries were present at the assembly location, checked communications and sent greetings to each other according to international practice. Then, they conducted a joint patrol with a vertical formation, speed and distance of ships according to regulations, patrolling the waters on both sides of the demarcation line of the Gulf of Tonkin, with a range of 10 points, 9 segments with a distance of 267 nautical miles. During the joint patrol, they conducted joint search and rescue exercises, exchanged communications through conventional signals, lights and flag signals.

The two sides' flagships sent out the signal "Start SAREX", then both sides fired three red signal shots. They released the simulated target and informed each other of the location of the ship in distress, the situation of the ship in distress, the hydrometeorological conditions and agreed on a search and rescue plan. After about 30 minutes of searching, Squadrons 266 and 267 found the simulated target and notified the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The two sides returned the simulated target ahead of schedule and ended the joint search and rescue exercise mission.

Return of simulated target in joint search and rescue exercise.

The joint patrol between the two Navies is carried out twice a year, contributing to the development of the traditional friendly and neighborly cooperative relationship, enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the two Navies, while maintaining stability, security and order in the Gulf of Tonkin and exchanging experiences, improving the ability to coordinate in search and rescue operations at sea. The 37th joint patrol was carried out in accordance with the plan set out by both sides, ensuring absolute safety for people and technical equipment.

Source