Chinese Naval Fleet Concludes Indonesia Visit with Joint Maritime Drill

A People's Liberation Army Navy task group featuring the training ship Qi Jiguang and landing ship Kunlushan concluded a four-day friendly visit to Surabaya, Indonesia, on August 6, 2026. During the port call, Chinese naval personnel engaged in high-level leadership meetings, academy exchanges, and public ship tours. Upon departing Tanjung Perak Port, the task group conducted joint maritime training with the Indonesian Navy at the latter's invitation, continuing its broader far-sea training mission in Southeast Asia.

The port call and post-departure exercises highlight ongoing pragmatic defense engagement between China and Indonesia, demonstrating bilateral efforts to maintain functional naval cooperation and confidence-building measures.

On August 6, 2026, a People's Liberation Army Navy task group designated as Task Group 83 departed Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, Indonesia, completing a four-day friendly visit, according to China Military Online. The fleet, comprising the naval training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious dock landing ship Kunlushan, had arrived at the Indonesian port on the morning of August 2 as part of a scheduled far-sea comprehensive instructional and visit deployment. Throughout the port call, task group commanders engaged with Indonesian military and political leadership to discuss naval relations, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Operational personnel and midshipmen participated in structured exchanges, including visits to the Indonesian Naval Academy, joint cultural salons, and friendly sports events. In addition, the two navies carried out mutual ship visits and technical seminars aimed at fostering institutional dialogue. Port activities also included open ship tours on board both the Qi Jiguang and the Kunlushan, allowing local citizens, Indonesian military representatives, Chinese embassy staff, overseas Chinese organizations, and local students to tour the naval vessels. A formal send-off ceremony was held at Tanjung Perak Port on August 6, attended by representatives from the Chinese Consulate-General in Surabaya, local Chinese enterprises, overseas Chinese, students, and Indonesian naval officers. Following their departure, the Chinese naval vessels conducted a joint maritime training exercise with the Indonesian Navy at the latter's invitation. The task group subsequently resumed its broader far-sea training mission, which Beijing framed as a contribution to regional defense cooperation and its maritime community initiative.