Welcoming the “Chinese Naval Vessel Visit to Thailand,” Reinforcing Thai–Chinese Military Relations

16 October 2025
Sattahip Naval Base, Chonburi Province

The Thai–Chinese Students’ Association, represented by Orasa Rattanamornpirom, Advisor to the Association, and Thanet Chanthasithiporn, Secretary of the Association, participated in the welcoming activities under the leadership of Xu Lan, Minister-Counsellor (Education) of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand. The delegation of Thai–Chinese youth representatives also included members from the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of Thailand and the Chinese University Alumni Association of Thailand. Together, they participated in welcoming and visiting the Chinese naval vessel, and attended a close-up briefing delivered by officers of the Chinese Navy, gaining firsthand insights into naval operations and bilateral military cooperation.

On this occasion, the People’s Liberation Army Navy of the People’s Republic of China officially deployed two naval vessels to berth at Sattahip Naval Base. This mission formed part of efforts to further strengthen maritime security and naval cooperation between Thailand and China, and was conducted within the framework of long-distance training voyages for Chinese naval cadets in the region. In addition, the visit included a series of cultural and sporting activities, as well as friendly football matches, with the vessels opened to the public for visits, thereby promoting greater people-to-people engagement and mutual understanding.

Both vessels are entirely domestically built by China. The training ship Qi Jiguang (Training Ship) (戚继光), hull number 83, is a large training vessel with a displacement of 9,000 tons, a length of 165.3 meters, and a maximum speed of 22 knots. The ship is affiliated with the Dalian Naval Academy and is named after the Ming Dynasty national hero Qi Jiguang. Commissioned into service with the Chinese Navy in 2017, the Qi Jiguang has undertaken extensive training missions overseas and, on this occasion, marked its third visit to Thailand for joint training activities, reflecting the continuity and depth of naval cooperation between the two countries.

The amphibious assault ship Yimengshan (Landing Platform Dock) (沂蒙山), hull number 988, is a significantly larger vessel, with a displacement of 25,000 tons, a length of 210 meters, and a maximum speed of 25 knots. It is the largest and most advanced amphibious assault ship currently in service with the Chinese Navy. The vessel is equipped with a flight deck capable of accommodating up to six attack helicopters, features advanced stealth capabilities, and is fitted with sophisticated radar interception and electronic countermeasure systems. Commissioned into service with the Chinese Navy in 2016, this visit marked the first official visit of Vessel No. 988 to Thailand, during which the ship was also open to the public for free visits, further enhancing public engagement and mutual understanding between the two countries.

This visit served as a clear reflection of the enduring friendship between Thailand and China, while also underscoring the close and steadily strengthening cooperation in the fields of defense and security between the two countries.