Chinese naval fleet begins goodwill visit to Bangladesh

A Chinese naval fleet Qi Jiguang and Jing Gangshan arrived at Chattogram Port yesterday on a goodwill visit.

During the fleet's four-day goodwill visit, a series of events will take place -- including bilateral meetings, ship open days, and deck reception -- to enhance China and Bangladesh Navy's cooperation and mutual trust, says a Chinese embassy statement.

"This visit marks the first occasion in four years since a Chinese naval fleet visited Bangladesh, and it is the first foreign naval fleet to visit since the establishment of the interim government," the release said.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen welcomed the Chinese training fleet at the port.

Yao Wen and commanders of the Chinese naval fleet called on Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal, commander of the Chattogram Naval Area; Rear Admiral Md Moinul Hassan, Commander of the Bangladesh Navy Fleet, and Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the port authority.