The Philippines' and Việt Nam's representatives at the welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation on CSB 8002 in Manila. — Photo from the Việt Nam Coast Guard

MANILLA — Việt Nam's Coast Guard ship CSB 8002 (Fleet 21, Region 2 Coast Guard) along with a delegation from the guard, arrived on Monday morning at Manila Port in the Philippines to begin a visit and exchange with the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Vietnamese delegation is led by Colonel Hoàng Quốc Đạt, Deputy Military Commander of Region 2 Coast Guard, overseeing the area from Quảng Trị Province to Bình Định Province in central Việt Nam as well as the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

Commodore Arnaldo Lim, chairing the welcome ceremony, stated in his welcome address that this visit demonstrates the strength and depth of the relationship not only between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Việt Nam Coast Guard but also enhances the relationship between the two countries.

The presence of Việt Nam Coast Guard ship CSB 8002 is a strong symbol for the two countries' common goals, particularly in the fields of maritime safety and security and demonstrates both sides' active membership in the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum, the official remarked.

This is evidence of the trust and cooperation that have shaped bilateral relationship over many years.

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Arnaldo Lim tours the Việt Nam Coast Guard CSB 8002. — Photo courtesy of the Việt Nam Coast Guard

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome by the Philippine Coast Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Hoàng Quốc Đạt noted that this is the first time the Việt Nam Coast Guard has brought a vessel to visit and exchange with the Philippine Coast Guard in the city of Manila.

According to the plan, the Việt Nam Coast Guard delegation will pay courtesy visits to the leaders of the Philippine Coast Guard, visit the headquarters, engage in sports exchanges, cultural visits and joint training on maritime search and rescue and fire prevention with the Philippine counterparts, along with other at-sea duties, especially law enforcement activities.

The Vietnamese official affirmed that the visit and exchange would contribute to strengthening the friendship, cooperation, mutual understanding, and trust between the Việt Nam People's Army, the Việt Nam Coast Guard and the Armed Forces and Coast Guard of the Philippines.

Following the welcome ceremony, Commodore Arnaldo Lim and a delegation of Philippine Coast Guard officers toured the visiting Vietnamese ship. — VNS