The Chinese Naval Ship Formation's First Global Navigation composed
of the Qingdao Missile Destroyer and the Taicang Comprehensive
Supply Ship, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Ding
Yiping, commander of the Beihai Fleet and commander-in-chief of the
Formation, returned to Qingdao at 9:00 a.m. September 23, bringing
with them the friendship of the people and armies of 10 countries
on five continents.
By
far, this is the first time that the name of "China" was engraved
forever in the history of global navigation in the world, thus the
506 officers and soldiers have fulfilled the thousand-year-old
dream of the Chinese nation with their own deeds. When the naval
ships arrived at the ports, more than 2,000 people, including
leaders of the headquarters and the navy and officers and men of
the fleet, their families and local leaders and residents held a
grand welcoming ceremony, greeting the triumphal return of the
Formation's officers and soldiers.
With approval from the Central Military Commission, the Chinese
Naval Ship Formation set sails from Qingdao on May 15 this year,
starting their long voyage to 10 ports in 10 countries --
Singapore, Egypt, Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Portugal, Brazil,
Ecuador, Peru, and Papeete, dependence of France.
The global navigation journey is a major military diplomatic
activity of milestone significance in the history of the People's
Navy and a symbol of the growing overall national strength of China
as expressed in the development of the national economy, science
and technology, it concerns the reputation of our Party, state and
nation as well as the image of the people's armed forces and the
long-term construction of the Navy, it has thus attracted the
concern of the country and focused the attention of the world.
Among the 10 ports the Formation visited, except for Callao of
Peru, all the other nine were ports the Chinese Naval Ship
Formation visited for the first time. During the visits, the
Chinese Naval Ship Formation was warmly welcomed wherever they
went.
The warm welcome extended to them wherever they went has enabled
the officers and men to deeply feel the glory and pride brought on
them by the strength and prosperity of the motherland and the navy.
The Formation was given high attention and exceptional reception by
the leaders of the countries and governments and the military who,
in turn, were invited to visit the Chinese naval ships.
During high-level exchanges, leaders of the Formation, on various
occasions, praised the traditional friendly relations between the
people of China and the host countries and publicized China's
continual development and growth which is conducive to the defense
of world peace and stability, they expressed their sincere desire
to develop friendly contacts with the naval forces of various
countries around the world, so that the various sectors, especially
the military, have better understanding of and increase their trust
in, the Chinese Navy. It is the general view of the ranking
officers of foreign armed forces that the modernization degree of
the Chinese naval vessels is much better than what they understood
before, and that the level of management and maintenance of the
naval ships and the qualities of officers and soldiers are
first-rate in the world.
During the visits, the Formation actively engaged in exchanges
between officers and men of China and those of the host countries.
Chinese officers and men not only extended warm and friendly
reception to their counterparts of the host countries on board to
visit Chinese naval ships, they also went to visit the different
types of naval ships of foreign countries and naval bases, marine
corps, naval academies, training centers and other military
installations, and conducted vocational exchanges with the
specialized officers and soldiers of the navies at different levels
in various countries. Through visits, they have learned useful
knowledge and enhanced understanding and friendship.
In
order to expand exchanges, the Formation, in each place they
visited, actively performed Chinese military music as an expression
of gratitude and organized and conducted various kinds of sport
games. Through these activities, they displayed Chinese culture and
the graceful bearing of the Chinese Navy, thus winning extensive
praises. Using large plates, showcases and many other forms, the
Formation displayed the excellent situation of the increasing
prosperity of the motherland and the good look of the Chinese
People's Navy, publicized the basic principles of "peaceful
reunification, and one country, two systems", expressed the Chinese
people's firm determination to realize reunification of the
motherland, and sparked the patriotism of the broad masses of
Chinese nationals and their aspirations and national cohesion for
the reunification of the motherland.
In
each place the Formation visited, local Chinese newspapers
published on the front page or devoted the whole page to reports on
the situation about the visit of the Formation, Chinese nationals
and foreigners of Chinese origin were immersed in a jubilant
atmosphere as if they were spending festivals. They flaunted
banners, clang gongs and beat drums, sang and danced to welcome the
Formation. Many Chinese with their families came in a hurry from
thousands of miles away, when they boarded the Chinese naval vessel
and saw their Chinese dear ones, they were so excited that their
eyes were glistening with tears.
In
Greece, Chinese nationals organizations, like supporting the front
in those years, came in a hurry to express greetings to their own
army, they brought with them beverage, fruits and telephone cards,
many Greek people on the site were deeply moved by the scene.
In
Ecuador chambers of commerce of Chinese nationals and organizations
sent in crabs, prawns, Chinese flowering quinces and bananas as
gifts to express their profound feelings for the Chinese Navy.
In
Peru, nearly 2,000 Chinese nationals gathered in harbors where they
danced lion and dragon dances to greet the arrival of the
Formation. After that, flaunting banners and shouting slogans, they
came to see off the Formation in the dead of night, when they saw
the Five-Star Red Flag fluttering high on the main topmast, they
were so excited that they shouted "Long Live the Motherland!",
"Long Live the Chinese Navy!", their eyes filled with tears, the
scene was very touching.
The visit paid by the Chinese Naval Ship Formation whipped up an
unprecedented "tide of China" and a "navy heat" in the place they
visited. Local people vied with one another to swarm on to the
harbor in order to get an early sight of the charm of the Chinese
naval vessel. Those visiting the Chinese naval ship included
elderly over 90 years old, babies in the arms of their mothers,
pregnant women, the disabled as well as foreign friends and Chinese
nationals.
With the gallant array of the ships and the troops, strict style
and discipline, civilized and courteous manner, and thoughtful
reception and service, the officers and soldiers of the Formation
greeted guests from all directions. For instance, they repaired
shoes for the aged, gave detailed explanations to youngsters
thirsty for knowledge, gave performances for the waiting crowds,
provided service for the handicapped and sent people to act as
guides for those coming from afar on their visit.
In
Ukraine, our officers and men enthusiastically received WWII
veteran soldiers coming from afar. These veteran fighters regarded
Chinese Navy as their dear ones. One of them, who had been working
in northeast Chinese city Lushun during the 50s, brought with him
his honorary certificate signed and issued by Mao Zedong in those
years.
In
Brazil, it was a bubbling, unprecedented, grand occasion at the
harbor. The Brazilians who came to visit the Chinese naval ships
queued up like a "long dragon," vying with one another to get on
the ship, so the Formation could not but extend the visiting time
again and again. Large numbers of visitors requested to have a
group photo taken with Chinese sailors for a memento. A disabled
person carried onto the naval ship by our soldier said with
emotion, "This is the highest courteous reception I've ever been
given in my life." A total of more than 30,000 people visited the
naval ship in three days.
The Formation had given proper attention to the repair, maintenance
and management of equipment throughout the whole process of visit.
Confronted by the adverse circumstance of persistent high
temperature, high salt and high moisture, and the grim challenge
posed by navigating an unfamiliar region, the officers and soldiers
still persisted in examining and repairing equipment on a daily and
weekly basis, thus keeping weapons and equipment in good condition
and neat array of the ship. The officers and soldiers of the
Formation held fast to one conviction: Interests of the motherland
stand above everything else, and responsibility is weightier than
Mt. Tai. So, in order to fulfill the task of global navigation, the
officers and soldiers, with no blame nor remorse, turned their
loyalty to the Party, the motherland and the people into actual
deed of overcoming all hardships and dangers, writing chapters
about the glory of the Chinese Navy.
After 132-day navigation covering more than 33,000 nautical miles,
the Formation has set a new record in the history of the People's
Navy whose visit took the longest time, covered the farthest
voyage, went through the broadest sea region and toured the most
countries. It has thus made positive contribution to enhancing the
friendly relations between people, army and navy of China and those
of the host countries and to expanding the influence of the State
and nation, and in displaying the graceful bearing of the Chinese
army men and promoting reunification of the motherland and the
defense of world peace.
( September 29, 2002)