 |
|
Chinese
VADM Yao Xingyuan visited HMAS Watson last month.
|
|
Photo:
ABPH Bill Louys
|
Vice
Admiral Yao Xingyuan, Deputy Chief of China’s Navy, and six
other senior Peoples Liberation Army-Naval
(PLA-N) officers, recently visited various Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) bases to observe training delivery, procedures and facilities.
The
Chinese Navy visited Canberra to call upon our Chief of Navy and
conduct high level talks before making inspections at HMAS Watson,
Waterhen and Penguin in Sydney, and also observed the hydrographic
organisation in Cairns.
Although the Chinese/Australian Navy relationship is low-key the
interaction has been positive in the recent past and is likely
to be ongoing.
Our respective RAN Maritime Commanders visited China in 1998,
1999 and 2002, the current Chief of Navy, VADM Ritchie, visited
China in October 2003, plus recent visits have included HMA ships
Success, Newcastle, Arunta and Sydney.
The training delegation, which included three Rear Admirals, attempted
to gain a broad understanding of RAN training with an emphasis
on maritime warfare related training.
Vice Admiral Yao Xingyuan commented: “I and my delegation
greatly appreciated the opportunity to visit the RAN training
establishments and enjoyed frank and open discussions with Vice
Admiral Chris Ritchie, Rear Admiral Brian Adams, Head Defence
Personnel Executive and Commodore Simon Hart, Director General
Navy Personnel and Training.”
“We learnt a great deal about the RAN training methods which
was complemented by a very comprehensive and detailed visit to
many Navy training bases and establishments.”
