Chinese naval warship arrives in Tokyo for visit
Updated: 2007-11-28 10:55
TOKYO -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval missile destroyer "Shenzhen" arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday morning for a four-day visit.
"Shenzhen", with 345 officials and soldiers onboard headed by Rear Admiral Xiao Xinnian, vice chief of staff of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, entered into the Tokyo Bay earlier in the morning and was led to the port by the Japanese Maritime Self- Defense Force (MSDF)'s frigate "Thunder".
The 9:55 am port call at Harumi wharf, which is close to central Tokyo, is the first of its kind in the history of PLA's navy.
"We looked forward to your visit which would open up a new page in the history of Japan-China military exchange," Japan's chief of naval operations, Eiji Yoshikawa, said in a speech.
China's ambassador to Japan, Cui Tiankai, also stressed the significance of the ship's visit in the two countries' relations.
"Shenzhen is a messenger for peace and friendship. It wants to relay the hope for a harmonious Asia and a harmonious world," he said before reporters and guests were taken on board the warship for a rare glimpse at its high-tech weaponry, including a missile launcher.
During the visit through December 1, while Chinese naval officials are meeting with Japanese officials from the defense ministry and SDF, Chinese crew members will go around central Tokyo for sightseeing and shopping, and will conduct a variety of exchanges, including a soccer match, with their Japanese counterparts.
The two sides will visit each other's warships, and plan to offer a joint bands performance for the civilians.
The visit of "Shenzhen," which left the Zhanjiang port of Southern China's Guangdong Province on November 21, is at the invitation of the MSDF.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Tuesday the port call was an important part of ongoing dialogue between Beijing and Tokyo.
"At present, China-Japan relations are maintaining a healthy trend of improvement and development, and the leaders of the two countries have an important understanding to strengthen dialogue and exchanges in defence affairs," Qin told a news conference.
"We hope this visit will be able to enhance mutual understanding in the sphere of military and defence affairs."
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