China
Int´l fleet review off Qingdao concludes
Source: Xinhua | 04-23-2009 17:09
Special Report: Chinese navy 60th anniversaryQINGDAO, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao reviewed foreign vessels Thursday afternoon in waters off Qingdao, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
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U.S. navy missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is seen during an international fleet review in waters off China's port city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2009. A total of 21 visiting naval vessels from 14 countries took part in the review, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.(Xinhua/Li Gang) |
A total of 21 visiting naval vessels from 14 countries took part in the review with the rhythms of "March of the Review," a Chinese melody usually played for formal occasions. All the foreign ships flew their flags at full-staff.
The foreign vessels lined up in a row in the order of combatant ships, landing craft, auxiliary ships and a sailing ship for training. In each category, the order of placement was based on tonnages.
President Hu, aboard the PLA Navy destroyer Shijiazhuang, first passed by the Russian cruiser CG-011 Varyag, a 11,500-tonne vessel which was commissioned in 1989 and carries 529 crew.