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| The Qi Jiguang (83), Photo by the Chinese Embassy Manila |
Went to the “Open Ship” Event of the biggest and most modern Training Vessel of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Type 680-class “Qi Jiguang (83)” at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor recently.
I arrived there at around 3:00 pm, and initially I thought there wouldn’t be much People making the visit because of all these Sinophobia being made by the Americans and their Filipino A$$ Kissers on Social Media, but to my pleasant surprise, there was actually quite a lot of People around for the Event.
Most of the People though were of Chinese descent, it seems the Filipino-Chinese Community went to really go out and support the Ship. You had to register first before visiting the Ship and the Lines were long, but it was fast moving.
You had to write your Name and Date of Birth, and then you were given a Ticket Stub. It seems that there was a Fee for the Visitors at the Port, but that the Chinese Government is paying for it so you just have to surrender the Ticket Stub at the People nearer the Ship without paying for anything.
‘The Ship, and Restrictions’
The Ship itself was impressive, the Decks were spotless, no chipped off Paint, no Dirt, no Discolorations/Scuff Marks, etc. And it all looked brand new and modern despite the Ship already being six Years old as it was first commissioned into Service back in 2017.
There were two big Issues though for me about the Event, first was that access to the Ship was restricted only to the Flight Deck and upper Level of the Superstructure. Access to the rest of the outside of the Ship was prohibited, including the Bow area where the biggest attractions were: The Main Gun and the two Remote Weapons Station (RWS).
Another big Issue for me was that taking Pictures and Videos was allowed only on the Flight Deck, on the upper Levels it wasn’t allowed, so both of these Things sort of deflated the experience of visiting the Vessel in my Opinion.
‘Disappointment’
When the Russians went here several Years ago with their Cruisers, there was NO restriction in terms of access to the outside of the Ship, nor were there any restrictions in terms of taking Pictures and Videos.
Anybody can see those that I took on my Social Media Accounts and on Wikimedia Commons. I am sure the “Russophiles” would be happy with these piece of News, especially for those who prefer them over China.
Not sure why China made such Restrictions, is this Policy normal for all Chinese Naval Vessels when visiting other Countries? Or perhaps they were just a bit intimidated by all the Sinophobia going on right now in the Philippines?
The Restrictions though also only reinforced the Image of most Filipinos of China being too much of an Authoritarian and closed Society, which is never good. I also felt sorry for all the People who took Time, Money and Effort to go the Vessel on Hot, Humid Days, especially the Kids and the Teenagers, only for them to get a half-baked Experience like this.
Nevertheless I did find the Life Boats and Multi-Purpose (MP) Boats to be impressive. Instead of Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) usually found on Naval Vessels, they instead had these solid-hulled MP Boats with enclosed Bridges which have heating and airconditioning which will keep the Crew and Passengers away from the Elements.
‘Parting Shot’
I was pleasantly surprised that many People went, but it was a deflating experience since they only allowed limited access to the Vessels and also limited where to take Pictures and Videos, something which the Russians didn’t do with their Vessels.
I hope China brings in their other Naval Vessels, especially their Destroyers next time. But please, no access or Picture/Video restrictions on the outside of the Vessels, it will be much better for Public Relations (PR).
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