A People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet concluded patrol and training missions in the country's territorial waters in the South China Sea on Thursday.

The fleet entered the West Pacific on Thursday night through the Bashi Channel, located between Taiwan and the Philippines' Luzon Island, to continue its maritime training.

During a patrol of the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, the fleet maintained a high level of combat readiness and carried out drills related to expelling ships that infringe on China's territorial waters, as well as carried out an anti-piracy drill.

Comprising the missile destroyer Qingdao and the missile frigates Yantai and Yancheng, all from the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, the fleet has exhibited good performance, according to Liu Qungeng, deputy commander of the fleet.

The fleet also extended New Year greetings to officers and soldiers on the Nansha Islands.

The fleet will continue training in the West Pacific during the Spring Festival holiday season.

Spring Festival begins on Feb. 10 this year. Endi