Chinese Naval Fleet Arrives in Indonesia for Friendly Visit
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy fleet comprising the training ship CNS Qi Jiguang and the amphibious landing ship CNS Kunlunshan arrived at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, Indonesia, on the morning of August 2, 2026, for a four-day friendly visit at the invitation of the Indonesian Navy. The visit underscores deepening military cooperation and expanding diplomatic ties between the two nations, according to Sina News.
The Ships and Their Significance
The CNS Qi Jiguang (Hull 83), commanded by Captain Wang Guopin, arrived at 10:00 WIB, followed by the CNS Kunlunshan (Hull 998) under Captain Yang Yi at 10:30 WIB. The Qi Jiguang is China’s largest and most advanced domestically developed dedicated naval training ship—163 meters long with a full displacement of 9,000 metric tons—and is widely known as the People’s Navy’s “mobile university at sea.” The Kunlunshan, the lead vessel of the Type 071 amphibious transport dock class, measures approximately 210 meters with a displacement of about 20,000 tons, as Gurindam.id reported.
More than 900 naval cadets and service members are aboard the vessels, primarily from the PLA Dalian Naval Academy, with nine foreign military personnel joining in mixed groups for practical training, according to China Daily. The flotilla departed from Zhanjiang, Guangdong province on July 20, 2026, and previously visited Russia’s Vladivostok and Vietnam before arriving in Indonesia.
Growing Military Cooperation
The visit marks another milestone in the expanding naval relationship between Beijing and Jakarta. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin announced the visit at a press conference in Beijing on July 30, stating: “In recent years, the Chinese and Indonesian navies have continuously expanded their cooperation areas, including joint exercises and warship visits, promoting the deepening and practical development of relations between the two navies,” as ANTARA News reported.
The two countries established a comprehensive strategic dialogue mechanism on April 21, 2025, including a “2+2” foreign and defense ministers meeting. This framework has facilitated joint exercises such as Heping Garuda 2024 in Jakarta, the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo in Bali, and the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail 2025. In a reciprocal gesture, the Indonesian training ship KRI Bima Suci visited Shanghai in May 2026 with 79 naval academy cadets.
Welcoming Ceremony and Public Access
A formal welcome ceremony was held at Terminal Jamrud on August 2 at 09:00 WIB, led by Colonel Didik Kusyanto on behalf of the Commander of Koarmada V. The ceremony featured traditional Surabaya dance performances and floral tributes to the ship commanders. In a written statement, the Commander of Koarmada V emphasized the importance of naval diplomacy: “The spirit of mutual respect, professionalism, and cooperation we demonstrate today is important capital in facing various maritime challenges in the future for the creation of a safe, peaceful, and prosperous region.”
The public will have the opportunity to tour the ships during an Open Ship Day on Sunday, August 2, from 14:30 to 17:00 WIB at Terminal Jamrud, as Harian Disway reported. The delegation is also scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa on August 4.
Analysis: Strategic Implications
The visit reflects a broader trend of deepening defense ties between China and Indonesia amid a complex regional security environment. Liputan6 noted that the cooperation is supported by strategic dialogue mechanisms covering defense, security, and maritime security to enhance regional stability.
This is not the Qi Jiguang’s first visit to Indonesia—the training ship previously docked at Surabaya in September 2023. The recurrence of such visits, combined with joint exercises and cadet exchanges, signals a maturing and institutionalized naval relationship between the two countries. For Indonesia, the visits balance its non-aligned foreign policy with practical military engagement with China, while for Beijing, they represent a key element of its maritime diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
What to Watch For
Over the next four days, the ships will host a series of activities including ship visits, cultural and sports competitions, and deck receptions with Indonesian Navy leaders. The courtesy visit to the East Java governor and the public open day will provide further signals about the depth of this relationship. As both navies continue to expand their cooperation footprint, observers will be watching whether this translates into more complex joint exercises and broader maritime security collaboration in the region.