Three Gigantic Chinese Warships Arrive Nigeria
Photo credit: The Sun
Three gigantic Chinese warships yesterday arrived Lagos Port on a diplomatic visit to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The three Warships comprising MSL Destroyer NANNING, MSL Frigate SANYA, and Supply Ship WEISHANHU, were escorted by the Chinese Navy Escort Task Group (ETG) 162.
According to Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Ayo Vaughan, the Chinese warship that docked in Lagos port yesterday was on diplomatic visit to Nigeria, assuring there was nothing to worry about.
The Nation Newspaper reported that the arrival of the ship was met with warm reception by the officials of the Nigerian Navy at the Western Naval Command, led by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan.
Commodore Vaughan said Nigeria and China have a long standing relationship, adding that the visit was to strengthen that relationship.
He said:” It is said that the navy is an instrument of diplomacy. Therefore, all navies in the world have diplomatic responsibility to do what is called in naval parlance flag showing visit for foreign countries where they have diplomatic and bilateral ties. The Nigerian Navy also does it, even though not very often. Because such visits from across two oceans are quite expensive due to the time and effort.
“So, it is not a strange thing that the Chinese are doing this port visit. Americans, Europeans, French and Spanish do it very often. Sometime last year the European Union rejigged its standing relationship with the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) nations by bringing three of their ships, a Spanish ship, Italian ship and one other ship, all in the name and security of the GOG.
“As you are also aware, the Chinese have interest in Nigeria and a growing interest in Africa. But that is not the issue; the issue is that it is just a routine visit by a Chinese warship. It is to further foster and show the bilateral ties that exist between Nigeria and China.
“You recalled that last year the Chinese gifted the Nigerian government a ship, which was handed over to the Nigerian Navy at our base in Apapa. Also there was some equipment that was handed over to the Nigerian Army, also from the Chinese government.
“Between 2010 and 2012, Nigeria built two ships, offshore patrol vessels, in China; and the good gesture was rewarded with the gift of a ship. And recently, we got another ship gift from China. So, the Chinese have a long standing relationship with Nigeria. Hence, this visit of the Chinese MSL DESTROYER is a flag showing visit. It will allow them to visit their embassy and places of interest in Lagos, exchange pleasantries, and play novelty matches with our sailors. It is a normal naval tradition.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria in a statement on Monday, hailed the five-day visit as a milestone in ties, and the Nigerian navy expressed willingness to work with China to tackle maritime security threats and maintain stability in the Gulf of Guinea.
According to Reuters, Oil-rich West Africa is an important global exporter of crude. The region, mostly Angola and Nigeria, is among China’s top oil suppliers. Major Chinese oil explorer CNOOC Ltd also engages in deep-sea production off the coast of Nigeria.
“In January, Nigeria opened a billion-dollar Chinese-built deep seaport in Lagos. The new Lekki deep sea port, one of the region’s biggest, is 75%-owned by state-owned China Harbour Engineering Co. and the Singapore-based Tolaram group.
“There has also been speculation the Gulf of Guinea could offer a base for China’s military. Last year, U.S. defence officials expressed concern that such a base, possibly in Equatorial Guinea, could threaten U.S. national security.
“In 2017, China opened its first overseas naval base in Djibouti, one of the world’s most important choke points for maritime trade, fanning concern that Beijing might set up more regional “logistics facilities” as its military develops the capacity to operate thousands of kilometres from home.
”Over the last three decades, China has widened its influence in almost every African nation through investment, trade and loans.
“In 2016, the cash-strapped island nation of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf established relations with Beijing after cutting ties with democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory,” Reuters reported.
