The Taiwan Embassy said that the fleet will consist of Flagship Wu-Yi and frigate Kuen-Ming and Frigate Pan-Chao. The fleet will callport at the Malakal in the afternoon of April 13 at 2 p.m.
A welcome ceremony will be conducted led by President Johnson Toribiong and Taiwan Ambassador Maggie Taiching Tien to celebrate the visit.
Its arrival will also be marked with a goodwill basketball game on April 14 scheduled at 2 p.m. at Belau National Gymnasium between the fleet cadets’ team and Palauan basketball team.
The guest team will present gifts of basketball to the Palau Basketball Federation on the spot.
The same day, at 4 p.m., a performance of martial arts, marching band and color/honor guards drill will be presented at Asahi Baseball Field.
The embassy said the general public is welcome to attend both events.
Frigate Kuen-Ming will be open to the public for visit from 10 am to 4 pm on April 14, allowing the locals to experience firsthand the naval operations and life onboard a navy ship.
The fleet comprises of 813 navy officers, soldiers and cadets from the ROC Naval Academy.
Each year, graduating cadets sail aboard the Fleet of Friendship for shipboard training.
The embassy stated that “during the long voyage, future naval officers are given an opportunity to practice their combat skills and tactics and to enrich their navigational experiences.”
The fleet has sailed to the Middle East, Africa, Central America, the Pacific islands and other parts of the world. This is the ninth visit of the fleet to Palau.
The fleet will set sail from Malakal Port back to Taiwan after a flag-hoisting ceremony of both the Taiwan and Palau flags at 8 a.m. on April 15.
