Chinese naval fleet pays goodwill visit to Philippines
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At the invitation of the Philippine Navy, a Chinese Naval fleet arrived at the south port of Manila on Tuesday for a 5-day goodwill visitafter completing its escort mission in the Gulf of Aden.
At around 9:30 a.m. local time (0130GMT), the Task Force 525 escorting fleet, comprising missile frigates "Ma'anshan", "Wen Zhou" and comprehensive supply vessel "Qiandaohu", steadily steered into the No. 13 wharf of the south port of Manila, and was warmly greeted by Philippine Navy officials, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao, staff of Chinese institutions and corporations in the Philippines as well as associations of overseas Chinese.
Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Qiu Yanpeng, deputy chief of the East Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy and commander of Task Force 525 escorting fleet, said that the port call was aimed at deepening mutual understanding, expanding communication, reinforcing trust, promoting cooperation, developing ties and improving friendship.
Felicimo Lozuraga, deputy director of the battling center of the Philippine Navy Command, said that the Chinese fleet's visit " is deemed a milestone" and is expected to "foster camaraderie and mutual understanding between the Philippine and Chinese navies".
After the brief ceremony, those welcoming the fleet started to board the vessels as visitors.
Later in the morning, Qiu left for Rizal Park which is named after the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal to present a wreath at the Rizal memorial there.
Qiu will separately meet with chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Delfin Bangit, Chief Superintendent of Manila City Rodolfo Magtibay and mayor of Manila City Alfredo Lin on Tuesday.
The Task Force 525 fleet is the fourth escort fleet dispatched by the Chinese Navy to the Gulf of Aden where pirate activities are rampant. During the 128-day mission since arriving in the operation area on Nov.12, 2009, the fleet provided escort to more than 650 Chinese and foreign (including six Philippine) merchant vessels as well as international organizations (e.g. World Food Program) vessels transporting humanitarian materials.
During the escort missions, the Chinese Navy Task Forces have showcased openness, confidence, professionalism and teamwork spirit in anti-piracy intelligence sharing, operational coordination and personnel contacts with their foreign counterparts, the Chinese Navy said, adding that those escort missions by the Chinese Navy Task Forces have well contributed to peace, stability and security in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
On April 27, 2009, missile frigate Huangshan, one of the second Chinese Navy escort fleet vessels, came to the aid of Philippine chemical tanker, the MT Stolt Strength, with 23 Filipino sailors onboard when it thwarted another pirate attack days after it was released by Somali pirates. The Chinese Navy ship also provided the Philippine vessel's crew with food and water and escorted the vessel to safety until it reached the territorial waters of Oman.
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