MOSCOW/VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 18 (Interfax-AVN) - The Admiral Panteleyev large anti-submarine ship of the Russian Pacific Fleet will make an unofficial visit to the Chinese port of Qingdao, Igor Dygalo, aide to the Russian Navy commander-in-chief, said on Thursday.
The Russian ship sailing under the flag of Pacific Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Alexander Konev is expected to arrive at Qingdao on Saturday, Dygalo told Interfax-Military News Agency. It will be the seventh visit made by Russian warships to China in the entire history of Russian-Chinese relations.
"Warships of the Russian Navy will be very active in accomplishing military diplomatic missions and calling in at ports of foreign nations in autumn this year," Dygalo said.
In particular, the Yamal large landing craft of the Black Sea Fleet will make an unofficial visit to the Greek port of Pylos from October 19 to 22. Russian sailors will attend the celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Navarin. On October 23, the Yamal will call in at the port of Piraeus.
"Demonstration of the Russian Navy flag in the Global Ocean strengthens the authority of the Navy and Russia as a great naval power," Dygalo said.
"Such voyages can hardly be overrated from the point of view of acquiring real naval skills and experience by the ships' crewmembers," he stressed.
"Calls at ports of foreign nations play a great role in improving mutual understanding and mutual trust between military sailors of various countries," the aide added.