CHINA> National
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CHINA> National
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Int'l fleet review off Qingdao concludes
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-23 16:47 Chinese President Hu Jintao reviewed foreign vessels Thursday afternoon in waters off Qingdao, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. A total of 21 visiting naval vessels from 14 countries took part in the review with the rhythms of "March of the Review," a Chinese melody usually played for formal occasions. All the foreign ships flew their flags at full-staff.
The foreign vessels lined up in a row in the order of combatant ships, landing craft, auxiliary ships and a sailing ship for training. In each category, the order of placement was based on tonnages.
Known for its sophisticated missile, torpedo and artillery systems, the Slava-class cruiser is the flagship of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet. Hu also reviewed other visiting vessels. The Japan-based USS Fitzgerald from the 7th fleet, a 6,800-tonne destroyer, represents the highest level of U.S. navy destroyers. It was the world's first missile destroyer equipped with a Zeus Shield system and invisibility design. Commissioned in October 1995, the USS Fitzgerald carries 280 soldiers and officers. It was also one of the two U.S. vessels to take part in the second-phase of the first China-U.S. search and rescue exercise in 2006 in the South China Sea. |
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