Navies invite public on board for tours

Seven countries give firsthand look at maritime life before joint exercise

Navies in Qingdao for the 14th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium welcomed the public to tour active warships on Tuesday before sailing out for a joint drill on Wednesday.

With their decorative flags raised, seven vessels from China, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia berthed at Qingdao in East China's Shandong province.

Hundreds waited in line on Tuesday morning as guided tours walked the ships' decks, got a firsthand look at the cabins and learned about the weapons on board.

"It's good from both points of view, for the public and the navy. While the PLA navy is growing more powerful, it also has become more open. It is now a regular practice for the navy to open warships to the public," said Shi Lei, captain of PLA navy destroyer Harbin.

"I am also looking forward to visiting ships from other countries. Through such exchanges, we learn. That's how this international event works," he said.

According to the commander, the seven ships was scheduled to be opened for a whole day to civilians and fellow navies' sailors.

Shi moved easily through the narrow corridors and steep stairways, while others who weren't used to the inside of a destroyer navigated more hesitantly.

Commissioned in 1994, the 148-meter-long Harbin returned from a seven-month escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and will be the commanding ship in the joint exercise on Wednesday.

"We have prepared a month for the drill," Shi said. "The sea phase includes a range of exercises. We will work closely with Indian and Indonesian warships during the anti-hijacking exercise.

On Sunday, Shi received all seven visiting warships at the Qingdao port. He said the conversations with foreign commanders were delightful.

"Navies cooperate frequently. Now we are working together again to give the public a look at maritime life," Shi said.

Shan Junwei, 59, of Qingdao, said he enjoyed the vessels' open day. Shan visited Chinese navy destroyer Harbin and Indian frigate Shivalik with his 3-year-old grandson.

"I feel very proud visiting our own warship," he said.

"I was welcomed by foreign ships as well. Besides military capability, it is an opportunity to display their culture and tradition."

Girish K. Warrier, an officer from Shivalik, waited by the gangway distributing ship caps and pamphlets to visitors. Commissioned in 2005, the 114-meter-long Shivalik is capable of reaching speeds up to 30 knots.

"It is like a brand of the Indian navy," Warrier said.

"I am glad to see so many people visiting her and getting to know India through this ship," he added.

Sports games, including basketball, soccer and boat racing, were also held among the navies on the open day.

"We played for friendship's sake. It doesn't matter whether we win or lose. The point is that we all enjoyed the game," said Khalid Alimbong, an Indonesian mariner who played basketball with Chinese sailors.

Although Australia didn't send a ship for the event, a military band flew to Qingdao from Sydney to give a show at the port.

"The event is very well organized. It is fantastic visiting Qingdao," said Paul Cottier, the band's conductor.

"We played a Chinese folksong for our local visitors," he said.