GEORGE TOWN, Oct 9 — The Penang State Government clarified that the friendly visit by two training ships from China with students from the Naval University of China to the Port of Penang last Saturday was according to official channels.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai said the Resident Officer of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) in Penang was also present during the visit by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) trainee ship with leaders from the state government as guests.

China to Chung Ling Secondary School (Private) here is on the student-to-student relationship where sports and cultural activities are held.

"The visit was managed by the Consulate General of China in Penang and the two training ships anchored for three days and have left for Chittagong, Bangladesh,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He explained that the friendly visit of the training ship with the students-the Naval University of China-should be seen from a positive point of view since the relationship between Malaysia and China is good and the main leaders have visited each other.

Wong said the trainees were en route from China to Bangladesh stopped briefly at the Island before continuing the journey for their deep-sea training in the Indian Ocean.

It is said that naval ships from other foreign countries have also docked at ports in Malaysia using official channels and following protocols.

"The public has been urged to not create any speculation regarding the visit of the two training ships from China with students from the Naval University of China to the Port of Penang because what is being said on social media is not true at all,” he said.

Last Saturday, the Penang government announced the arrival of 1,000 Chinese naval trainees to the country aboard two ships, namely the Qi Jiguang Training Ship and the JinggangShan Ship from Zhanjiang for a friendly visit.

The 83rd task force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and their trainees were brought in to visit several interesting places in Penang and also had the opportunity to interact with local residents during the tour session.

However, he received criticism on social media following their visit to a ceremony at the Chung Ling (Private) Middle School here after it went viral on several social media platforms including TikTok. — Bernama