Senior Colonel Phạm Tiến Dũng (centre right), Deputy Chief of Staff of Việt Nam's Naval Region 2, welcomes Senior Colonel Xu Jianguo (left), Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's Task Group 83, and member of the task group's crew upon their arrival at Lotus Port, HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY – The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's 83rd taskforce arrived in HCM City on Sunday for a five-day goodwill visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and mutual understanding between the naval forces of Việt Nam and China.

The visiting flotilla comprises the training ship Qi Jjiguang (Hull 83) and amphibious dock landing ship Kunlun Shan (Hull 998).

The Qi Jiguang, serving as the flagship of the task group, docked at Lotus Port on Sunday morning. The vessel is led by Senior Colonels Liu Zhanfeng and Xu Jianguo. Due to technical safety requirements, the Kunlun Shan remained anchored at Anchorage No. 0 off Vũng Tàu.

A welcome ceremony was attended by Colonel Phạm Tiến Dũng, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2; representatives of the HCM City People's Committee, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, the Ministry of National Defence's Department of Foreign Relations, relevant military agencies, as well as officials from the Chinese Embassy in Việt Nam and the Chinese Consulate General in HCM City.

The training ship Qi Jjiguang (Hull 83) arrives in HCM City on Sunday for a five-day goodwill visit.

During their stay, the taskforce's commanders will offer flowers at the President Hồ Chí Minh Monument and pay courtesy calls on leaders of HCM City, Military Region 7 Command and Naval Region 2 Command.

Officers and sailors of the Chinese taskforce will also take part in friendly sports exchanges with personnel from Brigade 125 under Việt Nam's Naval Region 2, and visit historical sites and cultural landmarks in HCM City.

The vessel is led by Senior Colonels Liu Zhanfeng and Xu Jianguo.

According to organisers, the visit is intended to realise the common perceptions reached by the senior leaders of the two Parties, countries and militaries on promoting more substantive defence cooperation. It is also expected to enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two navies and armies, contributing to further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Việt Nam and China. — VNA/VNS