PLA garrison holds joint exercise with French navy frigate outside Hong Kong waters
Drill meant to ‘raise defence capability’ of troops stationed in city
The People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong conducted a joint exercise with the French military – its first with foreign forces – according to a state media report on Saturday.
The operation was meant to “raise the defence capability of the troops stationed in Hong Kong”, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
In addition to the maritime drill, crew aboard the Vendémiaire and members of the Hong Kong garrison interacted and visited one another’s vessels, it was also reported.
Jean-Maurice Ripert, the French ambassador to China, earlier flew in from Beijing for a welcome dinner with the PLA. He revealed the joint exercise to local news outlet HK01 after it spotted five mainland officers departing the frigate on Monday.
Ripert said the drill comprised search and rescue operations as well as communication exercises. It took place on Friday after Vendémiaire had left Hong Kong waters.
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“The PLA Hong Kong garrison is responsible for carrying out rescue operations in case of maritime disasters,” military commentator Leung Kwok-leung said, describing the joint exercise as appropriate.