Chinese navy fleet conducts open sea combat drill in Pacific

A fleet of the Chinese Navy carried out a far-sea combat drill in the Pacific Ocean during the Spring Festival holiday.

The drill is designed to test the fleet's combat readiness and coordination under complex maritime and aerial conditions.

The fleet consists of the Type 055 large destroyer Zunyi, the Type 054A frigate Hengyang and the Type 903 replenishment ship Weishanhu.

The 11,000-ton guided-missile destroyer Zunyi has participated in numerous far-sea training missions.

Spending the festival at sea makes many seamen homesick, but also proud that they can fulfill their missions for the country and all Chinese people during such a special period.

"This is my sixth time spending the Spring Festival on the ocean. The wind is strong and the waves are high, and many of us are having varying degrees of discomfort. But we will stick to our posts," said seaman Wang Yanshen.

"Though far away from home, I know that it is our dedication that guarantees peaceful festival moments for thousands of families. In the new year, I will be more determined to protect our territorial waters and fulfill my missions," said another seaman Wu Pengfei.

The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

Mao made the remarks in response to a media query about the reports that the Israeli parliament recently adopted a new law introducing death penalty for Palestinians, and countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed strong condemnation, saying such practice is "entrenching a system of apartheid."

"All legislation must conform to legal principles such as the principle of legality, fairness and justice, and must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality or political view. The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected. Relevant party’s actions that escalate tensions and exacerbate confrontation must stop," said Mao.