PN frigate Shamsheer to participate in China celebrations drill

By Masood Sattar Khan in Beijing
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s naval frigate PN Shamsheer has reached China’s port city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province on April 20.

The frigate will take part along with other seven countries vessels at the 14th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), starting from April 22, media report said. 

“China has done an excellent work organizing this international event. I am looking forward to meeting fellow navies and learning from them," the China Daily quoted Captain Rashid Zafar Cheema, commander of Pakistan’s Navy frigate Shamsheer. 

Pakistan has been invited to attend as one of the three observers of the event, reports the paper. The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila was due in Qiangdao on April 21 while officials from Pakistan embassy including Naval Attaché were already there. A reception has also been planned onboard PNS Shamsheer on April 22. 

To begin with, Commander-in-Chief of PLAN Admiral Wu Shengli will first to visit Pakistani ship that illustrates the close relationship between the navies of the two countries, informed sources said. 

"Our ship was built in Shanghai. Every time I sail in China I feel like I am sailing in my home waters,” Captain Cheema observed 

The vessels from countries, including Pakistan, India, Singapore and Brunei, were set to participate in a drill on April 24 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of PLAN.