The Chinese naval guided-missile destroyer Zibo (Hull156) arrives in Nuku'alofa, capital of Tonga. (Photo by Li Jinbiao)
NUKU'ALOFA, July5 -- On July 3, local time, the Chinese naval guided-missile destroyer Zibo (Hull156) arrived in Nuku'alofa, capital of Tonga on schedule. It will represent China to participate in the celebration of the Tonga Royal Navy's 50th founding anniversary.
At around noon, the ship Zibo, hanging national flags of China and Tonga, steadily docked at the Queen Salote International Wharf in Nuku'alofa Port. More than 200 people, including staff from the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese-funded enterprises and local people came to welcome the Chinese troops. The sailors assigned to the ship Zibo, dressed in uniforms, manned the rails at the deck and waved to the welcoming crowd.
After the ship docked successfully, the welcoming crowd boarded the Zibo ship in batches to visit and communicated with the members of the task force.
It is reported that the celebration will start on July 4. During the following two days, the ship Zibo, on behalf of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, will join the navies from 11 Asian, European, North American and Oceanian countries to attend the maritime fleet review, land parade, welcome reception, military music performance and other activities held by Tonga.
The welcoming crowd boards the Chinese naval ship Zibo for visits during the ship open-day activity. (Photo by Fang Sihang)