Two Papua New Guinean Defence Force (PNGDF) Naval Officers are amongst 350 sailors, from the Chinese People’s Liberal Army, who sailed into Port Moresby onboard the Chinese Naval Training Vessel, Qi Jiguang.
Qi Jiguang sailed into the Fairfax Harbour and was welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Zeng Fanhua, employees of Chinese owned businesses and the Chinese community.
The two PNGDF midshipman are part of Qi Jiguang’s internship training involving five countries including Indonesia.
The two PNGDF sailors have trained and lived onboard the training ship in the last month.
Chinese ambassador to PNG Zeng Fanhua said the naval training ship, Qi Jiguang is the largest professional training ship with the highest level of modernization.
“It is a maritime military academic which is capable for hosting more than 400 naval cadet officers for internship training and taskings,” said ambassador Fanhua.
Qi Jiguang was commissioned into China’s Navy in February 2017 and has been sailing the Pacific and Indian Oceans conducting training.
Speaking through an interpreter, Rear Admiral of Qi Jiguang, Zhu Jianda, said in celebrating the 74th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Qi Jiguang set on the 4th of September from Quando to conduct training and goodwill visits to Indonesia, PNG and Fiji.
“Over 300 Chinese mission men carried out training with counterparts from five countries including PNG. During the training they had navigational training and professional training,” said Rear Admiral Jianda.
During the next three days, Senior officers from Qi Jiguang will be meeting with their counterparts in the PNGDF. The crew members will visit each other’s ships and both sides will be involved in fun sporting activities.
“All this activities are aimed at enhancing our mutual understanding, strengthen our mutual trust and deepen our friendship,” rear admiral Jianda continued.
Speaking on behalf of the PNG Government, Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said China remains a key development partner for Papua New Guinea.
“PNG and China’s relationship goes back a long way where PNG benefits a lot from China’s infrastructure and economic and human development assistance, “said Minister Daki.
One such infrastructure is the reconstruction of a military hospital at PNGDF’s Taurama Barracks by the Chinese government.
This is it’s second goodwill visit into Port Moresby after Qi Jiguang’s initial visit in 2019.
Qi Jiguang will sail to Fiji after Port Moresby.
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