Chinese naval squadron arrives in Korean port from Gulf of Aden

A Chinese naval squadron docked at a port in Korea’s southeastern coastal city of Busan on Thursday for exchanges with the Korean Navy as it was returning home following its anti-pirate mission in the waters of the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.
The flotilla of Chinese warships is comprised of the 4,050-ton frigate Daqing, the 4,200-ton destroyer Qingdao and the 2,300-ton supply ship Taihu.
The three Chinese warships left Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong Province, in December 2015 for the gulf to carry out the escort mission against pirates.
The squadron’s port call marked the sixth visit to Korea by a Chinese naval fleet since February 2002, when two Chinese frigates arrived at a port in Incheon, west of Seoul.
The Chinese ships have maintained friendly relations with Korea’s Cheonghae Unit that was sent on a mission to combat piracy, holding consultation meetings with Cheonghae for anti-pirate operations and conducing joint drills.
During its five-day stay in Busan, crewmembers from the Chinese ships will take part in activities including the cross-opening of warships with the Korean Navy, a friendly sports event and programs designed to help them understand Korean culture.
The leadership of the Chinese squadron is scheduled to pay a visit to the Korean Naval Academy Friday to tour the educational facilities there. (Yonhap)

Korea times