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The People’s Republic of China’s Qi Jiguang naval training ship has been welcomed to Papua New Guinea during a three-day goodwill visit.
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Qi Jiguang docked at Port Moresby on 27 September in only its second goodwill visit into the PNG capital after an initial visit in October 2019. It will next travel to Indonesia and Fiji.
The vessel carries more than 300 midshipmen from the PLA Naval University of Engineering, PLA Naval Submarine Academy, and PLA Naval Aviation University on board. They were also joined by two Papua New Guinean Defence Force naval midshipmen participating in training and living on board for the last month.
“The ship is revisiting PNG for a new journey for exchange and friendship towards PNG counterparts,” according to PRC ambassador to Papua New Guinea Zeng Fanhua.
“This is with the strong support of the PNG Defence Force and other departments.
“In the next four days, the officers and soldiers of both (countries) will participate in visits, exchange programs and games.”
During the visit, both sides participated in exchanges, open day activities and football matches, while the Chinese embassy in PNG held a reception celebrating the Chinese National Day aboard the ship.
Both sides are reportedly in discussions for the reconstruction of a military hospital at PNGDF’s Taurama Barracks sponsored by the PRC while PNG officials are reportedly scheduled to travel to China to sign a multi-million agreement for the hospital next month.
PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki said the PNG–China relationship is important for PNG and has benefited the country.
“As PNG continues to face the challenges in constant change in economic and security and religion, we need bilateral partners to work with us and assist us as we get through the challenges,” he said.
“China is an important partner to PNG and we look forward to more similar engagements … through infrastructure, economic and human development, especially for our military force.”
