China Coast Guard ship makes first-ever official visit to Philippines

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship has paid an official visit to Philippines for the first time ever and taken part in exercises with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in an effort to improve bilateral ties amid tensions between Beijing and Manila over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

A CCG Type 718B patrol ship was welcomed in Philippines with a ceremony on 14 January, marking the start of the first ever official visit by a CCG vessel to the Southeast Asian country. (Xinhua via news.cn)

The 102 m-long Type 718B patrol ship (with pennant number 5204), was welcomed at the PCG’s national headquarters in Port Area, Manila, on 14 January in a ceremony that was also attended by PCG Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia and CCG Director General Major General Wang Zhongcai.

The following day the PCG and the CCG conducted joint search-and-rescue (SAR) as well as firefighting exercises in waters off Manila City, said the PCG in a statement, adding that the move was “part of the week-long activities of [the] CCG’s port call in Manila to strengthen understanding, mutual trust, and co-operation between [the] PCG and CCG towards the promotion of maritime security and maritime law enforcement in the West Philippine Sea”.

Several Philippine officials visited the CCG ship, including Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. During the port call, which is expected to last until 17 January, the two services are expected to talk about “communication protocols, search and rescue, and the possibility of conducting joint exercises on maritime security”, said the PCG, adding that “there will also be an exchange of best practices on maritime affairs and law enforcement”.