The Type 680 training ship with NATO reporting name Dadu,[1][2][3] otherwise known as Qi Jiguang is a training ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy.[1][2][3] It joined the PLA Navy on 21 February 2017.[4]
 Qi Jiguang in Brunei, 2019
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Qi Jiguang |
| Builder | Liaonan Shipyard, Dalian |
| Completed | November 2016 |
| Commissioned | 21 February 2017 |
| In service | 2017-Present |
| Homeport | Dalian, Liaoning |
| Identification | Pennant number: AX-83 |
| Nickname(s) | NATO reporting name Dadu |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Training ship |
| Displacement | 9000 t |
| Length | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Beam | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 SEMT-Pielstick diesels, 2 shafts, 7,200 bhp |
| Speed | 22 kn |
| Range | 10,000 nmi |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 x multi-purpose boats 2 x life boats |
| Complement | Crew: 450 Instructors: 50 Cadets: 400 |
| Armament | 1 x 76 mm single H/PJ-26 2 x 30 mm H/PJ-17 |
| Aircraft carried | 1 Changhe Z-8 |
Construction and career
editThe type 680 engaged in a number of training voyages around the Indo-Pacific Region in 2019, notably visiting Wellington in New Zealand between 22 and 26 October. Rear Admiral Yu Wenbing invited various New Zealanders to a courtesy reception scheduled for 29 October 2019. Victoria University of Wellington staff discussed whether it was appropriate to attend the reception; in the event, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Rebecca Needham, a former director of the VUW Confucius Institute, attended the event, along with several staff members of the university's Confucius Institute attended.[5] The New Zealand Defence Force said the visit had been arranged through normal diplomatic channels.
2024 stopover in Penang
editIn October 2024, the Type 680 and the amphibious vessel Jinggang Shan docked at Swettenham Pier in George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang. During the stopover, the crew paid a courtesy call on the speaker of the Penang legislature Law Choo Kiang and toured the Penang State Assembly Building.[6][7] Some of the crew also visited the Chung Ling Private High School, where they received a "friendly" reception to mark the 50th anniversary of China's diplomatic ties with Malaysia. After the visit, the two ships proceeded to Chittagong, Bangladesh.[6]
The stopover led to criticism from Malaysia's right-wing Islamist opposition, led by the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which accused the Anwar Ibrahim administration of compromising Malaysia's national sovereignty.[8] The school lodged a police report against malicious social media content, while Penang state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai clarified that the crew who visited the school were tertiary students and not navy personnel.[7][9] Some analysts have suggested that PAS intended to exploit the stopover to stir racial tensions and intimidate the country's Chinese minority by insinuating that China was collaborating with the Chinese community in Penang, the only Malaysian state continuously governed by ethnic Chinese since independence.[8]
Gallery
edit- Qi Jiguang Gallery
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Qi Jiguang’s starboard side.
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Qi Jiguang’s midship antenna and radar arrays.
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Qi Jiguang’s smoke stack.
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Qi Jiguang’s navigational ship compass.
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Qi Jiguang’s forward bow view of all her main armaments.
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Qi Jiguang builder's plaque.
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Qi Jiguang’s aft view towards midship.
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Qi Jiguang’s life boat.
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Qi Jiguang’s helipad.
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Qi Jiguang at anchor, 21 June 2019
References
edit- ^ a b "PLANS recognition guide 2018". July 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "PLANS recognition guide 2019". February 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "PLANS recognition guide 2020". February 19, 2020.
- ^ "680 type AX Qi Jiguang training ship". Global Security. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Victoria University staff invited onto Chinese naval ship during unannounced NZ visit". 18 January 2020.
- ^ a b Trisha, N. (8 Oct 2024). "A warm welcome for the Chinese Navy in Penang". The Star. Retrieved 12 Oct 2024.
- ^ a b Opalyn Mok (10 Oct 2024). "Education minister dismisses rumours of Chinese navy at Penang school, explains cultural exchange with university students". Malay Mail. Retrieved 12 Oct 2024.
- ^ a b Mustaffa, Harith (11 Oct 2024). "Malaysia opposition MPs' hackles raised over Chinese Navy's port call in Penang". The Straits Times. Retrieved 12 Oct 2024.
- ^ Dermawan, Audrey (9 Oct 2024). "Chinese navy ships were on goodwill visit, says Penang exco". New Straits Times. Retrieved 12 Oct 2024.