The "Liverpool", a destroyer of the British Royal Navy, arrived
Saturday in Shanghai for a five-day friendly visit.
The destroyer's first trip to the east China port is part of an
exchange project between China and Britain in the field of national
defense.
David Snelson, commander of British maritime forces, said at the
welcoming ceremony that the visit indicates the decision of the
British side to conduct constructive and fruitful cooperation with
the Chinese side on defense affairs.
During the destroyer's visit, various activities will be held to
support and promote bilateral dialogue in various areas, and to
further strengthen the ties in business and politics, according to
British Ambassador to China Christopher Owen Hum.
Since Shanghai became the sister city of Britain's Liverpool
in1999, the two cities have developed sound cooperation in many
fields.
Hum said the British side hopes to take this opportunity to show
its support for the Chinese government's efforts in the fight
against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The visiting destroyer carries 250 naval staff. It was put into
service in 1979.
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2003)