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Chinese PLA Navy's 83rd Task Force Concludes Goodwill Visit to Brunei
China Military Online (EN)
28 July 2026
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Summary
The PLAN's 83rd Task Force — training ship Qijiguang (Hull 83) and amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan (Hull 998) — completed a four-day port call at Muara Port, Brunei on July 29, conducting a joint exercise with Royal Brunei Navy vessels upon departure and holding a deck reception marking the PLA's 99th founding anniversary. The visit fits the established pattern of Qijiguang-centered task forces combining cadet training voyages with port diplomacy across Southeast Asia, using cultural programming and ship-open events as soft-power instruments alongside the operational training mission. What remains unspecified is the nature and scale of the joint exercise conducted after departure.
Translation
By Zhang Wanying, Zhang Dan, Cui Xiaohan, Shi Jianhua, Li Hui, Liu Jie and Chen Yusen MUARA PORT, Brunei, July 28 -- On Tuesday morning, the Chinese PLA Navy's 83rd task force, comprising the training ship Qijiguang (Hull 83) and amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan (Hull 998) concluded its four-day goodwill visit to Brunei, and set sail from the Muara Port to continue its open-sea training and overseas visit mission. After departing the port, the task force conducted a joint training exercise with the Bruneian naval vessels. During the visit, the commander of the task force paid a courtesy call on Captain Sonny Iskandar, Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Fleet. The Chinese sailors toured the Bruneian naval training center and military museum, and took part in a variety of activities with their Bruneian counterparts, including symposiums, friendly sports matches, and public performances. During the port call, the task force also organized multiple ship-open events. On the evening of July 26, the task force, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, held a deck reception to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The Chinese sailors presented cultural performances such as hulusi (cucurbit flute) solos and Sichuan Opera face-changing, fully showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese culture. This visit effectively deepened exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Bruneian navies, built a platform for young sailors from both countries to learn from each other, strengthened the bonds of friendship between the two militaries, and promoted the sustained improvement in quality and efficiency of bilateral maritime cooperation. (Video Editor: Huang Panyue)
Original text
By Zhang Wanying, Zhang Dan, Cui Xiaohan, Shi Jianhua, Li Hui, Liu Jie and Chen Yusen MUARA PORT, Brunei, July 28 -- On Tuesday morning, the Chinese PLA Navy's 83rd task force, comprising the training ship Qijiguang (Hull 83) and amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan (Hull 998) concluded its four-day goodwill visit to Brunei, and set sail from the Muara Port to continue its open-sea training and overseas visit mission. After departing the port, the task force conducted a joint training exercise with the Bruneian naval vessels. During the visit, the commander of the task force paid a courtesy call on Captain Sonny Iskandar, Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Fleet. The Chinese sailors toured the Bruneian naval training center and military museum, and took part in a variety of activities with their Bruneian counterparts, including symposiums, friendly sports matches, and public performances. During the port call, the task force also organized multiple ship-open events. On the evening of July 26, the task force, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy in Brunei, held a deck reception to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The Chinese sailors presented cultural performances such as hulusi (cucurbit flute) solos and Sichuan Opera face-changing, fully showcasing the charm of traditional Chinese culture. This visit effectively deepened exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Bruneian navies, built a platform for young sailors from both countries to learn from each other, strengthened the bonds of friendship between the two militaries, and promoted the sustained improvement in quality and efficiency of bilateral maritime cooperation. (Video Editor: Huang Panyue)
