Chinese naval training ship arrives in Manila ----MANILA TIMES

Chinese naval training ship, Qi Jiguang, with 476 people on board, arrived in Manila on Wednesday for a goodwill visit. It is now docked at Pier 15 at the Manila South Harbor. The Chinese Embassy said the naval training ship is 163 meters long, 22 meters wide, has a full load displacement of more than 9,000 tons. It has a maximum speed of 22 knots, which can meet the requirements for wind resistance of grade 12. "This is a Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) Naval training ship for a goodwill port visit to Manila. It has paid visit to Vietnam, Thailand and Brunei before the Philippines," the embassy said. The ship carried a banner which read, "Even mountains and oceans cannot separate people with shared goals and vision." An embassy officer said the sailors will have some "friendly games" with Filipino soldiers. The ship is open to the public and will leave on Saturday.

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