US destroyer drops anchor in Qingdao
Updated: 2016-08-09 11:16
By CHEN WEIHUA in Washington(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
 |
|
In this image released by the US Navy, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson visits the Chinese People's Liberation Army Submarine Academy in Qingdao, China, on July 20, 2016. Richardson is on a multi-day trip to China to meet with his counterpart, improve mutual understanding, and encourage professional interaction between the two navies. [Photo/CFP] |
Benfold crew will also explore the seaside city of Qingdao, including touring the Qingdao Museum and Tsingdao Beer Museum.
The Benfold visit comes just days after a PLA Navy taskforce left Pearl Harbor on Friday after completing the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC 2016) exercises, the world's largest multilateral naval war game, which is held in and around waters of the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
The PLA Navy taskforce participating in the 53-day RIMPAC 2016 included guided-missile destroyer Xi'an, guided-missile frigate Hengshui, supply ship Gaoyouhu, submarine rescue ship Changdao and hospital ship Peace Ark, with a total of 1,200 personnel.
"Our participation in the RIMPAC 2016 exercise is a trip for friendship, cooperation and exhibition, not only showcasing our strength, but also conveying our sincere goodwill for seeking peace," Wang Sheqiang, commanding officer of the PLA Navy taskforce, was quoted as saying in a press release posted by the Ministry of National Defense on Monday.
"The Chinese Navy is willing to cooperate with the navies of all peace-loving countries, so as to jointly safeguard world peace and regional stability," he said.
RIMPAC 2016 was joined by 26 nations, with more than 40 ships and submarines, 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel, more countries and personnel than in any previous year.
It was the second time China participated in RIMPAC. The first time was in 2015.
Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, commander of the US Third Fleet, who served as the RIMPAC 2016 combined taskforce commander, called the drills "an unqualified success."
"The collaboration and cohesiveness between participants proved that we can operate effectively with our partner nations and that we will be ready in the Pacific if or when we're called upon," she said.
Three weeks ago, US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson visited Qingdao and Beijing to meet his counterpart Wu Shengli, commander of the PLA Navy, to discuss a wide range of issues, including military-to-military cooperation and tensions in the South China Sea.
Richardson's first visit to China came just days after a July 12 ruling by a Hague-based arbitration tribunal over a case brought by the Philippines on issues regarding territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. China, which rejected the arbitration in the first place, has denounced the tribunal and the ruling.
Port calls have been a normal part of the bilateral military-to-military exchange. In May, the USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of the 7th Fleet, visited Shanghai. Last November, PLA Navy Escort Taskforce 152, consisting of three ships and more than 800 officers and sailors, arrived at US Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, for the PLA Navy's first port call to the US East Coast.
