Chinese and French captains meet for exchanges

At the invitation of Captain Kono, captain of "Cassard" destroyer of the French naval escort taskforce, Zhang Zaige, probationary captain of the "Yantai" guided missile destroyer of the 11th naval escort taskforce of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) which is in its replenishment and rest at the Djibouti Port in the Republic of Djibouti, and his 4-people party boarded on the "Cassard" destroyer to meet for exchanges with French counterparts on the afternoon of May 14, 2012, local time.

Captain Kono expressed warm welcome for the visit of Zhang Zaige. Zhang Zaige in return expressed his appreciation for the invitation of Captain Kono and said the Chinese naval escort taskforce would continue to communicate with escorting naval ships from various countries and strengthen exchange and cooperation.

The two sides analyzed the current security situation in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast and held discussions on issues such as strengthening the cooperation of naval vessels between China and France.

Captain Kono also invited Zhang Zaige and his party to visit "Cassard" destroyer. The "Yantai" guided missile destroyer completed its replenishment and rest in the same afternoon and returned to its mission area to continue its escort mission.