From left: Political Commissar Xu Siqing, Military Attaché Su Guanghui, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, General Sir Gordon Messenger, Rear Admiral Wang Zhongcai, Commanding Officer Lei Youfeng of Huanggang
On October 5, General Sir Gordon Messenger, British Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, accompanied by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and Military Attaché Su Guanghu, boarded Chinese naval frigate Huanggang on a tour of the flagship of the 26th Chinese Navy Escort Taskforce which is on a good-will visit to Britain.
Accompanied by Rear Admiral Wang Zhongcai, Commander of the Taskforce, General Sir Gordon Messenger viewed the guard of honour of the Taskforce followed by a visit to the bridge and of the weapon systems. He then had talks with Rear Admiral Wang Zhongcai and Political Commissar Xu Siqing. The commanding officer of FFG Huanggang briefed the visitors on the basic information about the ship and the performance of relevant equipments.
On behalf of all the Taskforce members, Rear Admiral Wang Zhongcai extended a warm welcome to General Sir Gordon Messenger. He said that the Chinese and British navies have maintained close exchanges in recent years. This is the fourth visit to Britain by a Chinese Navy fleet following the first in 2001, and the British Royal Navy ships have visited China eight times, which fully embody the sound relationship and profound friendship between the two countries and the two militaries, especially the two navies. He believed that, with joint efforts, the two navies will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation, enhance understanding and trust, and contribute more to the development of bilateral relations and the relationship between the two militaries.
General Sir Gordon Messenger expressed his admiration for the achievements that the Chinese military has achieved in recent years. He said that Chinese and British militaries have maintained close cooperation in international counter-terrorism, humanitarian rescue and other fields and made important contributions to the safeguarding of international and regional security and stability. Britain is willing to work together with China to keep strengthening exchanges and cooperation and facilitating greater development in bilateral relations and the relations between the two militaries. He said that HMS Argyll, a frigate of the Royal Navy will visit the Asian-Pacific region next year, and hoped that the ship could have the opportunity to visit China.
General Sir Gordon Messenger and Ambassador Liu listening to the presentation by a member of the special force
