Chinese Navy Frigate departs Nigeria after naval maneuvers

BY PHILIP NWOSU

• Consul General says China will continue to improve relationship with Nigeria 

The Warship of the Chinese Navy, MSL Destroyer NANNING has departed Lagos for China after a one week port call to the Port of Lagos Apapa Quay.
Before departure, the Chinese Frigate, conducted various simulation exercises with Nigerian Navy personnel, including anti-piracy, rig protection, boarding, search and seizure, communication drills, together with search and rescue operations.
The simulation exercise was geared towards strengthening the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, as well as enhance maritime security within Gulf of Guinea region.
Two Nigerian Navy vessels the NNS KANO and IBEANO were deployed for this exercise alongside thirty-six Officers and men including some selected military affairs journalists.
Speaking before the vessels departed, the Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, expressed confidence in the growing bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria towards attaining positive results for the future development of both countries.
Yuqing said this during the departure of the Chinese Navy Ship, MSL Destroyer NANNING, from the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Jetty on Thursday after the ship spent four days at the port.
Yuqing said that the Chinese Navy’s visit was the third visit to Nigeria which had continued to yield good cooperation in the economy and in the exchange of ideas through diplomatic activities.
Her words: “The Chinese warships just finished a successful four-day visit to Nigeria and we, the Chinese people in Lagos, are very proud of the visit of the Chinese Navy.
“We are proud and happy because the visit depicts friendliness, unity and cooperation for the future benefit of the two countries.
“We had a lot of events with the Nigerian Navy, the local government and the Chinese people resident in Nigeria, Lagos.”
Yuqing also said that the Chinese envoy had a meeting with the Western Naval Command which was geared towards improving safety and reducing crime in the maritime environment.
“We also held a deck reception on Tuesday where people from all walks of life in Nigeria attended.
“We also visited some primary schools in Nigeria where the Chinese naval officers made donations to the school as a symbol of friendship between the two countries,” she said.
The Chinese Consul said that both countries enjoyed a strategic partnership which had led to the improvement and cooperation of their navies and military overtime.