By Chen Xing and Wang Yuanfang
DAR ES SALAAM, Mar. 25 -- The 45th Chinese naval escort taskforce arrived in the port of Dar es Salaam on the morning of March 23, local time, starting its five-day goodwill visit to Tanzania.
At about 10:00 am that day, vessels Urumqi, Linyi and Dongpinghu of the Chinese naval escort taskforce stably pulled into the port of Dar es Salaam and were welcomed by a crowd of more than 200 people including representatives of the Tanzanian military, staff of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, and representatives of local Chinese companies and overseas Chinese. After the welcome ceremony, participants boarded the vessel Urumqi for visit and had exchanges with the members of the taskforce.
The commanding officer of the taskforce said that China and Tanzania are good friends and partners with profound friendship and mutual trust. He also expressed the willingness to take the chance of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to further consolidate friendship, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and make contributions to jointly upholding regional peace and stability and building a maritime community with a shared future.
It is learned that Tanzania is the first stop on the visit schedule of the 45th Chinese naval escort taskforce. During the visit, members of the taskforce will visit and pay their respects at the Chinese Experts Cemetery in Tanzania, and carry out relevant exchange activities with the Tanzanian side.
Naval vessel Linyi docks alongside the naval vessel Dongpinghu. (Photo by Chen Xing)
Tanzanian service members visit a vessel of the 45th Chinese naval escort taskforce. (Photo by Wang Yuanfang)
The welcoming crowd holds a banner reading "warmly welcome the Chinese naval escort taskforce to Tanzania".