By Xinhua
Tokyo : A Chinese warship arrived in Tokyo Wednesday on a four-day visit, marking the first visit by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to Japan.
Shenzhen, the destroyer, with 345 officers and soldiers onboard headed by Rear Admiral Xiao Xinnian, vice chief of staff of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, entered the Tokyo Bay and was led to the port by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF)’s frigate Thunder.
The Japanese side organised a warm welcome ceremony at the wharf, with several hundreds of Japan-based Chinese taking part.
The warship visit is a significant event, which opens a new page in the history of Japan-China defence exchange and military communications, said Eiji Yoshikawa, chief of staff of the Japanese MSDF.
He believed that the landmark port call would boost bilateral friendship and strengthen mutual trust.
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai said the naval ship brings to the Japanese MSDF the sincere friendship of their Chinese “colleagues”.
“The visit is set to inject new vigour and impetus into the development of bilateral ties,” Cui said at the ceremony.
Rear Admiral Xiao said that coming with the ship are not only 345 officers and crewmembers, but also the amity of 1.3 billion Chinese people and the desire for peace and harmony.
“We believe that the port call will push forward the military and civilian exchanges and promote friendly Sino-Japanese ties.
“We hope the sea between China and Japan could be changed into a sea of peace and friendship,” he said.