Foreign affairs welcome Chinese naval training ship

A CHINESE Naval Training Ship, known as Qi Jiguang, arrived in Port Moresby on Tuesday after visiting Brunei and Timor Leste.
The ship with 364 cadets on-board left China last month for a two-month tour of the Asia-Pacific.
PNG Foreign Affairs deputy secretary policy Joseph Varo said Qi Jiguang was on a mission to spread goodwill and train its sailors.
He said the visit would strengthen the bonds between PNG and China.
Varo welcomed Qi Jiguang on behalf of the Government at a ceremony on Tuesday at the Lancron Naval Base in Port Moresby.
“This is not the first time we have received a visiting naval ship from China,” he said.
“We received visits by Chinese medical ship, Ark Peace, who were not only here on a mission of goodwill and friendship but providing free medical services to our city residents.”
Varo said such visits would improve and strengthen the bonds between the People’s Republic of China and Papua New Guinea and between the two governments.
“Papua New Guinea is a maritime country with a large exclusive economy zone,” he said.
“We share with China the Pacific Ocean as maritime states, therefore, we will continue to welcome Chinese naval ships to our shores, in the spirit of friendship, prosperity and stability in the region.
“PNG’s foreign policy has been to co-exist and maintain peaceful relationship with all countries around the world.
“PNG welcomes China and looks forward to a brighter future for the purpose of maintaining world peace and promoting development.”
Jimmy Huang, a Chinese embassy official, said the crew would visit some parts of the city during their stay.
“A cultural group from the crew will be visiting the Ted Diro Primary School and Butuka Academy to perform items,” he said.
“We have organised sporting activities for the sailors and members of the PNG Defence Force to take part in as well.”
The ship arrived on a four-day goodwill and friendship visit after visiting Brunei and Thailand en-route to New Zealand and Fiji.
The ship will leave the country on Saturday.