BEIJING – The Chinese naval 83rd task unit, which is on ocean-going cadet training and visit missions, arrived in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste*, on Thursday morning, starting a four-day goodwill visit to the country.
At around 9:00 a.m. (local time), the unit docked at the port of Dili. Wang Wenli, Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, welcomed the unit at the dock with over 300 people, including all embassy diplomats, representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese, and the Chinese medical aid team posted to Timor-Leste, as well as officers of the Timor-Leste navy.
After the welcome ceremony, Major General Calisto dos Santos, Vice Chief of Staff of the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL), and Wang boarded the ship Qijiguang for a visit.
During the visit, the Chinese commanding officer visited the commander of Timor-Leste’s navy and the defense minister, and also attend a welcome luncheon organized by the navy of Timor-Leste. Chinese navy personnel visited Timor-Leste navy’s military facilities and research institutes. They also engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges, friendly sports matches, and other activities with F-FDTL officers, soldiers and college teachers and students. Meanwhile, the task unit also organized open-day activities and deck receptions.
– Courtesy of China Military Online (minor edits by The Macau Post Daily)
*Timor-Leste is East Timor’s official Portuguese name.
The Chinese naval ship Qijiguang (Hull 83) arrives at the port of Timor-Leste’s capital Dili on Thursday last week. – Photo courtesy of Xu Junshuai/CMC
Well-wishers await the arrival of the Chinese naval task unit at the waterfront in Dili’s port on Thursday last week. – Photo courtesy of Shi Yanwen/CMC
