Taicang reaffirms partnership with training ship

A delegation from Taicang of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, boarded the Chinese naval training ship Zheng He in Dalian, Liaoning province, on July 31 — the eve of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. The visit reaffirmed a city-ship partnership that has endured for over two decades.

"Starting from Taicang, the great Chinese navigator Zheng He set sail on his voyages to the western seas. The Zheng He is the first naval vessel named after a national hero," said Wang Yu, mayor of Taicang, who extended her greetings to the officers and men on board, and discussed further cooperation in national defense education and technological collaboration.

The delegation toured the ship's equipment and facilities and gained a detailed understanding of the officers' daily life and training.

"In the hearts of Taicang people, the Zheng He is not only a shining' national business card' but also our firmest support and deepest attachment to the blue waters," the mayor said.

Commissioned in 1987 as China's first independently designed and built oceangoing training ship, the Zheng He holds multiple PLA Navy records, including the longest single-voyage distance, the highest operational availability rate, and the most visits to foreign ports. Under the administration of the Dalian Naval Academy, the vessel mainly undertakes the maritime training of naval academy cadets.

The partnership was formalized in 2004, when the Taicang government and the ship signed a co-construction agreement, and jointly inaugurated a national defense science and technology education base.

Over the past 22 years, the two sides have maintained frequent interactions, forging a distinctive path of military-civilian integration characterized by shared resources, complementary strengths and mutual growth.

Cadet Deng Qingwen discovered in the ship's chronicle that all three port calls to Taicang brought unique milestones. The 2011 visit set a precedent for a warship calling on its partner city, while the 2017 call marked the vessel's 30th commissioning anniversary, and the 2025 visit coincided with the 620th anniversary of Zheng He's first voyage.

The visits featured a series of events, including the themed campaign "Carrying forward the Zheng He spirit, contributing to the defense of our vast seas" and community outreach activities supporting local families in need.

Inspired by his findings, Deng volunteered to organize a sharing session for his shipmates and trainees, passing on the stories of the cityship bond.

For Taicang's 400,000 permanent residents, the ship has become more than a distant symbol. It is a tangible presence. According to local authorities, approximately one-fifth of the city's population has toured the vessel during its open-day events, with many young students citing the experience as an inspiration to join the navy.

"The three visits gave our crew a tangible, close-up view of the nation's rapid development," said Liu Ceng, a veteran crew member who sailed with the ship to Taicang on all three occasions. "Every time we docked, the city felt brand new. Through these changes, I have deeply felt the growing strength and prosperity of our country."

The Zheng He officers and crew expressed their gratitude for Taicang's long-standing support and pledged to remain loyal to their mission, strengthen their military capabilities, and deepen the co-construction partnership with the city.

"The connection between Taicang and the Zheng He is not merely ceremonial. It is where history set sail, and where its spirit continues to chart the course ahead," the ship's political commissar said.

Wang Zhao contributed to this story.