The Chinese Navy Escort Task Group (ETG) 162, comprising MSL D£§troyer NANNING, MSL Frigate SANYA, and Supply Ship WEISHANHU, have arrived in Nigeria to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Chinese envoy arrived in Lagos on Sunday, July 2, and were received by officials of the Western Naval Command led by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Chi Jian Chun, said that the visitation of the Chinese envoy, scheduled for July 2 to 6, would also enhance maritime security within West Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MSL D£§troyer NANNING, made the port call at Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Berth 21, while the other two ships remained at anchorage.
Chun said that the delegation from China was big with more than 700 people and three ships to Nigeria.
“The visit is to further deepen the relationship the two countries have with one another and seek to strengthen and improve our relationship and cooperation with each other.
This visit demonstrates the harmony and symphony between Nigeria and China. I believe that this visit will deepen the cooperation between both countries’ military sector so that we can work together to overcome obstacles.
We will continue to do more things to facilitate and promote the relationship between the two countries,” he said.
I don’t trust Chinese warships coming to Nigeria. We owe them and this looks more like a threat and way of checking out our routes.