Chinese missile frigates, replenishment ship dock at Manila port

Two guided-missile frigates and a replenishment ship from China have arrived in the Manila for a four-day goodwill visit to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

According to a report of Mark Salazar on Balitanghali on Thursday, this was the second friendly visit of the Chinese Navy in the country under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Chinese warships came from the Gulf of Aden in Somalia where they watched over merchant ships, including those from the Philippines.

According to the report, the warships, loaded with billions of dollars worth of war equipment, just dropped by in the country after a four-month mission in Somalia and soon will be going back to China.

In 2020, the Philippine Navy will also have the same guided-missile frigate which is currently being built in South Korea.

The Chinese community welcomed the foreign navy as their ships docked at Pier 15 of the Port of Manila.

A line-up of friendly activities will be conducted during their visit in the Philippines.

The Chinese Navy’s first visit under the Duterte administration was at the Sasa Wharf in his hometown Davao City in 2017.  —Joviland Rita/NB, GMA News