Australian Navy joined China for maritime exercise

The ANZAC-class Guided Missile Frigate, HMAS Ballarat, has completed a five-day ship visit to Shanghai for exercises that involved a variety of interactive activities including communications and rescue exercises and joint manoeuvres with the PLA-Navy.

The visit will involve cultural exchanges and visits to significant icons in Shanghai.

The ship’s commanding officer Commander Jonathan Earley says his crew is ready for the challenge.

“We have recently come from a long work up to achieve this mission,” CMDR Earley said, “so we are used to dealing with other nations from our region but this is the first time we have exercised so intensely with the PLA-Navy.”

“This is diplomacy at its best.

“There is nothing more effective than face to face contact to build trust and friendship between Navies and nations.”

HMAS Ballarat’s visit to China came at a time when the two nations celebrate 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the People’s Republic of China, in December 1972.