Blue Ridge of US 7th Fleet makes first visit to Zhanjiang

Blue Ridge of the Seventh Fleet of the United States, led by Capt. J. Stephen Maynard, arrived at Zhanjiang port in South China's Guangdong Province, on the afternoon of March 28, kicking off its three-day goodwill visit to the South China Sea Fleet of China's navy.

Escorting Blue Ridge, China's missile destroyer "Shenzhen" received and guided Blue Ridge and completed the marine ceremony. South China Sea Fleet held a welcome ceremony at the wharf.

During their trip, the 800 US officers and soldiers will visit China's self-developed missile destroyers and frigates and go sight-seeing in Zhanjiang city. Chinese and US troops will make joint musical performance and have recreational activities such as basketball games and tugs-of-war.

Chinese navy members stand in lines to welcome the USS Blue Ridge, an amphibious command and control ship of the US Seventh Fleet in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province March 28, 2005. (Newsphoto)

Chinese navy members stand in lines to welcome the USS Blue Ridge, an amphibious command and control ship of the US Seventh Fleet in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province March 28, 2005. (Newsphoto)

By People's Daily Online