ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy’s ship “Shamsheer” arrived at the Qingdao port, China, on Monday.
The ship has been invited by the Chinese to take part in the Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME) being hosted by China and participated by several countries.
Senior Colonel of the Chinese PLA Navy Wu Dongzhu received Commanding officer Capt Rashed Zafar Cheema during a welcoming ceremony held on the jetty at the harbour to mark the ship’s arrival.
The exercise coincided with the 65th anniversary of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, which will also feature the Western Pacific Naval Symposium 2014 set to discuss cooperative initiatives to address regional and global maritime issues.
A smartly turned out contingent of PLA Navy welcomed the frigate and its musical band played welcoming tunes as the vessel moored to its berth on the prime local pier near the Qingdao military port club house building.
Chinese children presented colourful bouquets to the ship’s captain.
Amid a gathering of Chinese media persons, Captain Zafar described the latest port call as a manifestation of the ongoing collaboration between the two countries.
Captain Zafar noted that Pakistan Navy would continue to play its role in contributing to its government’s resolve for peace and stability in the region.
The ship had set sail from Karachi for Qingdao on March 21, making subsequent port calls on the Maldives [Male], Malaysia [Port Kalang] and Brunei [Bander Seri Begawan] prior to arriving at the Qingdao Port. It is destined to visit Singapore and Sri Lanka while completing its round trip back to Pakistan.
PNS Shamsheer, the second ship of Sword Class F-22 P Frigates, was built in China at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai and was commissioned by the Pakistan Navy about four years ago.
Shamsheer will host deck reception on Tuesday [today] hosted by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M. Asif Sandila NI (M). —APP
