Chinese naval escort fleet visits Philippines

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A Chinese naval escort fleet comprising three vessels arrived in Manila on Thursday for a five-day friendly visit to the Philippines, according to the Chinese Navy.

The missile frigates "Wuhu" and "Handan" and supply ship "Dongpinghu" docked at Manila Port, their last port call after completing an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

"I believe the visit will enhance military to military exchanges and mutual trust, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation between our two navies," Rear Admiral Xu Haihua, commander of the 30th Escort Task Group of the Chinese Navy, said on arrival.

Chinese sailors on board the guided-missile frigate Wuhu (539) stand in formation shortly after docking in Manila on January 17, 2019. /VCG Photo‍

In response, deputy commander of the Philippine Fleet Commodore Wilfredo Burgunio, said, "The arrival of our Chinese Navy counterparts underscores the continuing efforts to further strengthen the relationship between our governments and navies.

"This will further enhance and sustain the promotion of peace, stability and maritime cooperation through naval diplomacy. We welcome this (visit) and we hope to have more engagements like this."

The Chinese Navy will engage in a number of activities during their visit. They will pay courtesy calls on senior local navy officers, hold a shipboard reception, organize a tour aboard the ships, and take part in friendly games with their Philippine counterparts.

A send-off ceremony will cap off the port visit on Jan. 21.

This is the second visit by Chinese navy ships to the country since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016. The first took place in April 2017 in Davao city, the home city of Duterte in the southern Philippines.

(Cover: People wave Philippine and Chinese flags as a Chinese guided-missile frigate Wuhu prepares to dock at the international port in Manila on January 17, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency