Grand arrival: ‘Qi Jiguang’ and ‘Jinggangshan’ arriving at Swettenham Pier in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: Members of the Chinese Navy did not only explore popular sites but also took the opportunity to engage in meaningful interactions with the locals during their official visit here.
The 83rd task force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), comprising two vessels – the training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious dock landing ship JinggangShan – arrived from Zhanjiang, China, with over 1,000 personnel for a weekend visit to the island.
The ships were headed by Rear Admiral Zhai Baoran and Rear Admiral Sun Zhongyi, commanders of the PLA’s Navy Task Group 83.
Students cheering the ships’ crew on after their visit and performance at the hall of the Chung Ling Private High School in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI and LIM BENG TATT/The Star
They paid a courtesy call on state assembly speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang, who briefed them on the history, roles, duties, operations and management of the State Legislative Assembly House here.
Some of the navy members then visited Chung Ling Private High School, where they sang and played friendly games of table tennis and basketball with the students.
School principal Ng Jooi Seah said the officers had reached out to the school about the visit.
“There were around 150 of them who wanted to visit us and interact with the students.
“It was a great opportunity for us and a unique experience for the students.
“The visitors gave out some school bags and basketballs to the students as well,” he said.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said there were a deck reception for the personnel and ships’ open day over the weekend.
The visit, he said, showed mutual goodwill from the private sector and government agencies playing a key role in fostering ties between both nations.
“There have been frequent exchanges over the years in various fields, including economic trade, culture, education, defence and regional security.
“This has made Malaysia and China among the closest partners globally.
“The presence of the China PLA Navy here reaffirms our mutual commitment to regional peace, stability and the safeguarding of crucial maritime routes,” he said.
Wong added that as both nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between them, they were reminded that this relationship is not just about governments and policies.
“It’s about the people of Malaysia and China working together and building a future of shared prosperity,” he said.
The ships, which docked here on Saturday, will depart for Chittagong, Bangladesh, today.
