A CHINESE navy training ship arrived for a port call in Manila yesterday, the first such visit during the administration of President Marcos Jr.
The vessel, named Qi Jiguang, docked at the Port of Manila yesterday morning “for a goodwill visit” until Saturday, the Philippine Navy said.
A team from the Navy welcomed the Chinese ship.
This is the first time a Chinese Navy vessel visited the country since 2019 when three Chinese Navy ships arrived for a goodwill visit.
“This visit marks the first time that a Chinese Navy vessel arrived in the country since 2019 when PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy’s Escort Task Group 539 comprised of three vessels conducted a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines,” a Navy statement said.
“Their arrival in Manila is part of the vessel’s regional tour that also includes stops in Vietnam, Thailand, and Brunei,” it added.
The Navy said it will be hosting the visiting Chinese “with the customary and usual accommodation it renders to all visiting navies which fulfill its diplomatic role and promotes naval cooperation.”
Last Tuesday, the Chinese embassy in Manila said the ship will be open to the public. It said people who want to board the vessel are required to present a “valid identification document.”
Visiting time is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday); 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today (Thursday); and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).
