Two Chinese naval
vessels left Sanya, Hainan, on Tuesday for an 87-day tour that will take them to Russia, Britain, Spain
and France.
The guided missile destroyer "Guangzhou" and the supply ship "Weishanhu" are under the command of Major General Su Zhiqian, deputy commander of the South China Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy.
The two ships will travel more than 23,000 nautical miles, stopping in Russia''''''''s Saint Petersburg, Britain''s Portsmouth, Spain''s Cadiz, and France''s Toulon in succession. More than 500 soldiers and officers are on board the
vessels. They will join activities for the Year of China in Saint Petersburg and hold joint rescue exercises with the British, Spanish and French navies respectively.
Chinese navy draws world attention
In 1985, the Chinese navy, 36 years old then, sent its first fleet overseas to visit Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
After that, the navy has sent 27 fleets to more than 40 countries across the five continents. The ships, either being guided missile destroyers, missile escort vessels, or ocean-going navigation training ships and integrated supply ships, are new models designed and made by China independently after the reform and opening up.
By the port calls the Chinese navy built bridges of friendship across the
oceans. The soldiers, with their professional bearing and performance, impressed people of different languages and customs.
In 1997, the navy for the first time cast its cable on the land of the American continent, and this first visit to mainland U.S. turned out a pride for all Chinese, especially those residing overseas.