A Record of the Chinese Navy's Task Force 83 Ship Open-House Activities in Brunei
Brunei's name carries the meaning of "land of peace." Over the past several days, the Chinese Navy's Task Force 83, currently conducting a port visit here, has held a series of ship open-house activities, inviting representatives of overseas Chinese communities, local residents, Chinese-funded enterprises, and personnel from embassies and consulates of various countries accredited to Brunei to come aboard and tour the vessels.
"So these are the PLA uncles!" Four-year-old Zhao Canyue, the moment she stepped aboard the Qi Jiguang, was immediately captivated by the precision drill movements of the naval cadets from the PLA Dalian Naval Academy. Zhao Canyue's mother, Ms. Xiang, told reporters that her daughter had been extremely excited watching the September 3rd parade at home last year. This summer holiday, she brought her daughter to Brunei to visit her father, who works at a Chinese-funded enterprise, and when they learned that a Chinese naval vessel formation was visiting, they came to see it at the first opportunity. "We hope she can feel the strength of the motherland through these mighty warships she can see and touch." Ms. Xiang's words were filled with deep emotion.
Aboard the Qi Jiguang and the Kunlunshan, 48 naval cadets participated in the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On this voyage, executing a far-seas comprehensive training and port visit mission with the task force, they have formed a ceremonial honor guard. Huang Quanfeng, a cadet in the navigation specialty, is one of them; during the ship open-house activities he also served as a guide aboard the Kunlunshan. "On the parade ground, my comrades and I marched with resounding steps, presenting the 'Chinese bearing' (中国排面). Venturing beyond our borders, we will absolutely display the image of the Chinese Navy with a spirited bearing." He introduced the ship's general situation, the visit's circumstances, and naval knowledge to visitors in fluent English, and his professional commentary earned repeated praise from the people of Brunei.
"It's absolutely stunning!" Brunei university student Alanrita said with feeling after touring the Qi Jiguang and the Kunlunshan. "This is my first time boarding a Chinese naval vessel. I was originally worried I wouldn't understand anything, but I never expected there would be such professional guides who taught me so much." Alanrita told reporters: "I came this time with my father, and I hope next time there will be an opportunity to bring my mother and younger brother aboard to visit."
Amid the surging crowd, Guo Zhongwei, an engineer and representative of a Chinese-funded enterprise, was from time to time introducing the Qi Jiguang's flight deck, helicopter control tower, and main gun platform to colleagues beside him. This was already his second time boarding for a visit. "When the Qi Jiguang made its first visit to Brunei in 2019, I came aboard then too—that was just when I had started working on the Hengyi Brunei PMB Island petrochemical project." Standing on the flight deck, Guo Zhongwei pointed toward Pulau Muara Besar, visible across the water from Muara Port, and said: "Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye. It's hard to imagine that place was once a desolate island covered in swamps." That project is China's largest investment project in Brunei and a key project through which both countries are jointly implementing the Belt and Road Initiative.
After finishing her tour of the Qi Jiguang, Ms. Yan, an ethnic Chinese Malaysian, had her clothes soaked through with sweat, yet she was still reluctant to leave. Ms. Yan stood on the flight deck and photographed the Temburong Bridge in the distance. "I have worked in Brunei for more than 20 years. Before, getting back to Malaysia required a detour of more than two hours; after the bridge opened, it only takes 45 minutes by car." Ms. Yan said with satisfaction. In 2020, the Temburong Bridge, built with the participation of Chinese enterprises, was completed and opened to traffic, greatly facilitating movement between Brunei and surrounding areas. "I hope the Chinese Navy gets better and better, and China gets better and better!" As she left the ship, Ms. Yan offered her sincere wishes.
On the evening of the 26th, the Qi Jiguang flew her full dress of flags, and Task Force 83 held a deck reception celebrating the 99th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Kung fu fans rose and fell like the wind, Sichuan opera face-changing performers moved with flowing sleeves, and traditional Chinese instruments played melodious and graceful tunes; the music drifted with the sea breeze toward the harbor glimmering with lights, telling the story of the deep and long-standing friendship between China and Brunei, separated yet facing each other across the sea…
"This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei. Over the long term, the two militaries have consistently maintained a high degree of mutual trust, with fruitful results in ship mutual visits, joint training, personnel cultivation, and other areas," the task force commander stated. "The ocean is the bond connecting the world. Every time the Chinese Navy makes an overseas visit, it is committed to serving as a messenger of peace and building bridges of friendship, and at the same time we also hope to broaden the international horizons of naval cadets and lay a solid foundation for their professional development."