Led by Wang Fushan, deputy commander of the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA navy, a Chinese naval ship formation consisting of the No. 113 Missile Destroyer and the No. 881 Comprehensive Supply Ship sailed off from the Qingdao Harbor at 10:00 on August 21 and embarked on a long voyage which will take them to four ports in the USA, Canada and the Philippines. During this voyage, the Chinese ships will stage a joint maritime search and rescue exercise together with the U.S. Navy for the first time.

　　This visit of the Chinese naval ships to the three countries is a major event of the military diplomacy approved by the Central Military Commission, which will play an important role in further promoting the bilateral relations between China and these three countries, boosting the mutual understanding and facilitating the shaping up of a security environment conducive to the peaceful development of China.

　　By coincidence, this is the second time that the No.113 Missile Destroyer and the No.881 Comprehensive Supply Ship join each other on a visit to foreign countries after their rounding off the first global voyage of the PLA Navy in 2002.

　　By Qian Xiaohu and Zhong Kuirun

　　(Aug 22, PLA Daily)