Chinese Navy fleet sets sail for Hong Kong open-ship, cultural exchange events

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet, consisting of guided-missile destroyer Nanning and guided-missile frigate Hengyang, departed from a military port in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, on Wednesday for the neighboring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for a series of public open-ship and cultural exchange events.

During their stay in Hong Kong, the fleet will host the events scheduled for July 2 to 6 to showcase the achievements of the motherland's national defense and military modernization in the new era, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

The Nanning, with hull number 162, and the Hengyang, with hull number 568, have both undertaken multiple major missions. This will be the first time the two vessels are open to the public in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.

Chinese Navy fleet sets sail for Hong Kong open-ship, cultural exchange events

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran are underway in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday under the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan, an informed source told Xinhua.

The talks are taking place indirectly now, with no face-to-face meetings between the two sides, the source said, adding that the sessions are closed and are being facilitated by the mediators.

The source added that at least three working groups are holding technical talks in Doha, covering the nuclear issue, diplomacy, financing, and the return of frozen Iranian funds.

Indirect U.S.-Iran talks underway, with Qatari, Pakistani mediation: sources