China's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Wednesday at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
The Luohe, designated hull number "545," has a displacement of approximately 5,000 tons. This new-generation frigate, independently developed and built by China, is noted for breakthroughs in stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integration, with significantly enhanced overall performance.
With strong capabilities for comprehensive combat operations and diverse military missions, the warship will play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of naval task forces.
The launch of the Type 054B frigate was confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense during a press conference in August 2023. Wu Qian, a spokesman for the ministry, said the PLA Navy's development of key combat vessels in accordance with relevant plans is a normal arrangement to meet the needs for national security and aligns with overall naval development objectives.
This move aims to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests while contributing to global and regional peace and stability, Wu said, adding that China has always been committed to the path of peaceful development and adhered to the defensive national defense policy.
China's first Type 054B frigate Luohe commissioned
China's first Type 054B frigate Luohe commissioned
China's first Type 054B frigate Luohe commissioned
China is ready to work with Argentina to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and bring the bilateral relations to a new level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.
This will benefit the people of the two countries and help China and Latin America achieve common development and prosperity, Wang said. He made the remarks during a meeting with his Argentine counterpart Gerardo Werthein on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Chinese and Argentine people have enjoyed a long-standing friendship, and China-Argentina cooperation is equal and mutually beneficial.
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Argentine President Javier Milei held a meeting and reached important consensus on consolidating and developing bilateral relations, said Wang.
China is willing to work with Argentina to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and strengthen exchanges at the high level and in all fields, so as to bring the bilateral relations to a new level and better benefit the people of both countries, he said.
Wang also said the two sides should continue to respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and continuously consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.
Wang pointed out that China does not seek spheres of influence, nor does it participate in geopolitical competition. In international affairs, China firmly practices multilateralism and is willing to work with Latin American countries, including Argentina, to firmly safeguard the international rule of law and the basic norms of international relations, he said.
Wang noted that China-Argentina relations are an important part of China-Latin America relations. Over the past decade since its establishment, the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum has effectively promoted China-Latin America cooperation and brought tangible benefits to the people of both sides, he said.
China is willing to work with Latin American countries to support the development and growth of the China-CELAC Forum, helping China and Latin America achieve common development and prosperity, said Wang.
Werthein said that Argentina attaches great importance to its relations with China, and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and deepening pragmatic cooperation with China.
Noting that Argentina appreciates China's support for Argentina's defense of its sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, Werthein said Argentina firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to become a reliable and stable cooperative partner of China.
Werthein also said that Argentina will play an active role in promoting the development of Latin America-China relations on the basis of strengthening bilateral relations.
China ready to push ties with Argentina to higher level: FM