Chinese naval escort fleet concludes visit to Philippines

A Chinese naval escort fleet, composed of three vessels, has concluded its five-day good-will visit to the Philippines.

The fleet, which comprised the missile frigates "Wuhu" and "Handan," and supply ship "Dongpinghu," made port calls Thursday at Manila Port, the last port call after completing their escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.

It left Manila on Monday morning.

During the visit, Chinese naval servicemen and their Philippine counterparts visited each other's warships, held a shipboard reception and took part in friendly games. The vessels were also open to the locals during the visit.

Delfin Lorenzana, secretary of national defense of the Philippines, visited a Chinese navy ship on Sunday. Greeted by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, Lorenzana toured the ship and received a briefing about the Chinese Navy and the escort missions.

"The military relations between the two countries is an important part of the overall relationship between China and the Philippines," said Lorenzana, adding that he will support the continuous friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two navies.

After leaving the harbor, the two Chinese missile frigates and their Philippine counterpart held a drill.