Two Chinese Navy ships ended their goodwill visit to Germany Friday
and headed for Portsmouth, Britain, to continue their European
tour.
In
Germany's northern port of Wilhelmshaven, officers and men of the
Chinese Navy were friendly received by their German counterparts
during their three-day stay.
Two receptions were held for some 500 Chinese officers and men on
the Chinese guided missile destroyer "Shenzhen" and the German
escort vessel "Karlsruhe" respectively.
Friendly football and table tennis matches were held between the
two navies. Military bands of the two sides also gave a special
performance for audience of the city of Wilhelmshaven.
The visit of the two ships, guided missile destroyer "Shenzhen" and
support vessel "Fengcang," was the first by Chinese naval ships to
Germany.
Commander of the Chinese naval ships Wu Fuchun expressed his hope
that the relationship between the two navies could be expanded.
Inspector of the German Federal Navy Hans Luessow said that the
terrorist attacks in the United States showed that a global
cooperation of the naval forces was needed.
The two Chinese ships are on a European tour which will also take
them to France and Italy after the visit to Britain.
(People's Daily 09/29/2001)