China cancels multinational naval fleet review due to MH370 tragedy

BEIJING: China has cancelled a multi- national naval fleet review planned for the 65th anniversary of its navy in which a number of foreign vessels including those from India and Pakistan were to take place, citing the "special situation" over the missing Malaysian airliner.

INS Shivalik, an indigenously built stealth frigate, was scheduled to take part in the events being organised at the eastern Chinese port of Qingdao on April 23-24 in connection with People's Liberation Army Navy's 65th founding anniversary. The PLA Navy had also planned a review of the fleet and joint exercises to celebrate the event.

China has cancelled the review owing to the "special situation and atmosphere" over Flight MH370 that went missing on March 8 with 239 people on board, including 154 Chinese nationals. Beijing has deployed a number of ships and planes in the Indian Ocean to locate the missing jet.

China has intimated India about the cancellation of the review, officials here told PTI. However, the planned exercises would be held along with Western Pacific Naval Symposium.

In a rare show of camaraderie, Shivalik would take part in the exercises along with a Chinese and Pakistani naval ship. Despite being invited by China, the US is not participating in the exercises. China has not invited Japan with which it has a long-drawn maritime territorial dispute. Naval ships of India, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Indonesia and Pakistan besides China will take part in the event.