PLA Navy fleet enters W Pacific for training

ABOARD MISSILE DESTROYER QINGDAO - A naval fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday passed through the Miyako Strait and entered the Western Pacific Ocean for a training mission.

This marked the PLA Navy's fifth high-seas drill this year.

The fleet is comprised of the missile destroyer Qingdao, missile frigate Linyi and supply ship Hongzehu, as well as two ship-borne helicopters. All the equipment is from the Navy's Beihai Fleet.

The fleet set sail from a military port in East China's coastal city Qingdao early Saturday morning.

Noting that the PLA Navy has been conducting regular high-seas training missions, fleet commander Wang Dazhong said such high-intensity and frequent training carries great significance in China's plan to build a blue-water navy.

Last year, the PLA Navy conducted seven high-seas training missions.