Chinese naval survey vessel completes global navigation

BEIJING: A Chinese naval survey vessel has returned home after successfully completing global navigation tour, the first such venture undertaken by China.

The global navigation lasted 179 days and the vessel crossed the five continents, three oceans, seven Straits, with a voyage distance of nearly two laps around the globe.

It is the first time for a Chinese naval vessel to conduct survey around the world, state-run People's Daily reported.

The ship returned to Zhoushan naval base on August 6.

As it expanded its fleet with a host of new types of naval vessels and submarines besides an aircraft carrier, the Chinese navy pressed more of its fleet into missions in far-flung areas in the world including the anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Aden as well as search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

A recent defence white paper called for a bigger role for Chinese navy far beyond its shores as China expanded its global role.

China has gained approval in 2012 to explore a 10,000 sq km polymetallic sulphide ore deposit in an international seabed region of the southwest Indian Ocean.

The 15-year approval was secured by China from the International Seabed Authority ( ISA).