The Peruvian navy training ship B.A.P. Unión (BEV 161) arrived at the Wusong Military Port in Shanghai on September 18, 2023, as one of its stopovers at 20 ports in 14 countries during its 10-month travel which kicked off in June, carrying foods, products and culture of Peru to the local citizens. Photo: Lu Ting/GT

The Peruvian navy training tall ship B.A.P. Unión (BEV 161) arrived at the Wusong Military Port in Shanghai on Monday morning, as one of its stopovers at over 20 ports in 14 countries on five continents during its 10-month round-the-world trip kicked off in June, deepening the naval exchanges between the two countries and carrying the best foods, products and culture of Peru to locals during its stay from Monday to Thursday. 

Unión’s sailors standing along the masts of the ship and commanding officer Captain Jose Luis Arce Corzo were greeted warmly upon their arrival by the officials from the Chinese navy and the local government. 

Unión set sail from her homeport in Callao Naval Base in Peru on June 17, beginning their circumnavigation and international training deployment 2023-2024. 

This is the first circumnavigation of the Unión since its commissioning in 2016 and the second one of the Peruvian Navy since 1856, 167 years ago. 

Before Unión, two Peruvian military vessels paid three visits to China since the diplomatic relations established between the two countries and they all chose to dock in Shanghai. 

The visit by Unión will start a new page in the history of naval exchanges between the two countries, which will further deepen the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two navies, a Chinese naval official said during the welcome greeting, adding that mutual visits, receptions banquets, sports competitions and other activities will be scheduled during Unión’s stay in Shanghai. 

Captain Jose Luis Arce Corzo responded that Unión serves as Peru’s mobile embassy by visiting major ports of friendly and cooperating nations and the 259 crew members on the ship  appreciated  the warm welcome from the Chinese side. 

Naval officers who attended the event told the Global Times on Monday that the training tall ship is used to equip navy sailors with basic skills, adding that the history of communication and cooperation between Chinese and Peruvian navies is long and deep. 

According to Captain Jose Luis Arce Corzo, one of the missions of the round-the-world trip is to train the navy cadets shipment at sea, let them know how to handle the uncontrollable forces of wind. 

During Unión’s stay in Shanghai, the Peruvian navy will also visit the Chinese training tall ship as well as the Chinese frigate and participate in other naval exchanges, Captain Jose Luis Arce Corzo told the Global Times on Monday. 

Marco Vinicio Balarezo Lizarzaburu, Ambassador of Peru to China, who attended the event on Monday said that it is of great significance for the development of the Peruvian Navy that these navy cadets can be trained in this circumnavigation and improve their capabilities in the naval career. 

According to the Peruvian ambassador, Unión is a source of pride for all Peruvians as it was entirely built by Peru, showing the Peru’s advanced technology and specialized work in tall ship building. By visiting the training tall ship, the Peruvian ambassador hopes that the Chinese citizens can know more about Peru and the cooperation between the Chinese and Peruvian navies. 

Apart from the training mission, the tall ship is also expected to be the round-the-world ambassador of Peruvian culture, tourism and trading, showcasing  Peru to the world, the ambassador said. 

Unión has set up Casa Perú, a traveling museum or exhibition and experience platform aimed at promoting tourist destinations in Peru and displaying diverse Peruvian products and services. 

Pisco is being exhibited at the Casa Perú, in all its varieties and presentations. Coffee, recognized for its aroma and quality, as well as Andean fibers such as alpaca, with its vibrant colors and sophisticated designs, are among the most representative Peruvian products.

The Peruvian navy training tall ship will leave for its next stop in Singapore on Friday.