47th Chinese naval escort taskforce conducts training in Gulf of Aden

The 47th Chinese naval escort task force recently conducted multi-subject training exercises in the Gulf of Aden, including underway replenishment, shipborne helicopter drills, and special forces live-fire training.

The escort task force consists of the guided-missile destroyer Baotou (Hull 133), guided-missile frigate Honghe (Hull 523), and comprehensive supply ship Gaoyouhu (Hull 904), carrying two ship-borne helicopters and over 700 mission members including dozens of special operations soldiers.

During replenishment operations, the Baotou successfully received over 100 tons of supplies from the Gaoyouhu while maintaining precise navigation alignment.

The task force subsequently completed the shipborne helicopter flight drills and small arms live-fire drills for marine special forces personnel.

The exercises enhanced the formation's rapid support capacity and combat readiness in complex maritime environments. The mission further strengthened officers and soldiers' operational capabilities in the open sea.

47th Chinese naval escort taskforce conducts training in Gulf of Aden

Shenzhen, a major city in south China's Guangdong Province, recorded 2.88 trillion yuan (about 425.2 billion U.S. dollars) in foreign trade in the first half of 2026, securing the top spot among all Chinese mainland cities, the latest customs data showed.

This represented a 33-percent surge from the same period last year. The tech hub accounted for 11.3 percent of the country's total foreign trade and 52.5 percent of Guangdong's total during the period.

In the first six months, the city's exports expanded 15.5 percent year-on-year to 1.51 trillion yuan, also the highest among all mainland cities. Imports soared 59.8 percent to 1.37 trillion yuan, reflecting a sharp rebound in domestic demand.

The latest figures mark another milestone for the southern economic powerhouse, which has topped mainland cities in foreign trade for two consecutive years since 2024.

Shenzhen leads Chinese mainland cities in foreign trade in H1