"Chinese Warships Are Professional": US Seventh Fleet's CommanderVisiting Commander Metzger Sadler of the US Seventh Fleet Saturday described Chinese warships as "professional", "well maintained" and "beautiful".Sadler visited a Chinese missile frigate, the Tong Ling, Saturday morning, amongst officers and sailors of the Blue Ridge, a command ship of the Seventh Fleet. The Tong Ling, designed and manufactured in China, is a powerful warship used in general operations and self defense. The captain of the Tong Ling, Yao Chunlei, briefed the US guests on the warship, and answered their questions. Sadler showed admiration when he was told the captain was only 36. The most important part of a warship lies in its crew, he said, adding that the Chinese naval crew are "well-educated, confident and enthusiastic". Sadler is scheduled to leave Shanghai for Beijing on Sunday. Commander Shi Yunsheng of the Chinese PLA Navy will meet with him during his stay there. The Blue Ridge, with 1,010 officers, sailors and marines, docked here for a four-day port call Friday afternoon. Tong Ling escorted the Blue Ridge as it arrived for its third China visit following previous visits in 1989 and 1998. |
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