Military Africa published on 5 October 2024 an article titled "Russian and Chinese Warships to Attend SA Navy Festival" by Sarah Lesedi.
The Russian Navy's frigate Neustrashimy and replenishment ship Akademik Pashin arrived in Simon's Town for the South African Navy Festival from 4 to 6 October. They were joined by the PLA Navy frigate CNS Xuchang.
The Daily Maverick published on 3 October 2024 an article titled "Russian and Chinese Warships Make Political Waves in Simon's Town" by Peter Fabricius.
The arrival of the two Russian ships raised concerns in the Democratic Alliance, part of South Africa's ruling coalition government, about South Africa's alleged non-partisan posture toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian community in South Africa expressed outrage at the presence of the Russian ships. The Daily Maverick was unable to get an answer from the government to its question why only warships from Russia and China were participating in the South African Navy Festival.
