A girl waves Chinese and Japanese national flags to welcome the visiting Japanese destroyer Sazanami in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province June 24, 2008. The Japanese warship will stay for five days after Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen visited Tokyo in November 2007. [Xinhua]

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer arrived in Zhanjiang on Tuesday, starting a five-day visit to China.

"Sazanami" with its 240-member crew, is the first Japanese warship to visit China since World War II.

The destroyer with 4,650 standard tonnage, set off from Hiroshima on voyage for a return visit; the Chinese missile destroyer "Shenzhen" docked in Japan late last year.

A welcoming ceremony was held for the ship's arrival in Zhanjiang in the southern Guangdong Province, along with a transfer ceremony marking the delivery of quake aid from the Japanese Defense Ministry and Self Defense Forces. 

The Japanese destroyer Sazanami arrives in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province June 24, 2008. The Japanese warship will stay for five days after Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen visited Tokyo in November 2007. [Xinhua]

The materials, including food, blankets, hygiene masks, disinfectant and other items, will be unloaded by Wednesday and then travel to the quake zone by train.

"The visit is a sign of the friendly ties between the Chinese people and the Japanese people," Lieutenant General Su Shiliang, commander of China's South Sea Fleet, told a press conference after the ceremony.

He expressed gratitude to Japan for providing aid and assistance after the May 12 earthquake and for relief materials shipped to the quake zone.

The visit of "Sazanami" would promote exchanges between the two defense departments, help build mutual trust, and enhance the development of the China-Japan strategic, mutually beneficial relationship, Su said.

"We hope to work together with our Japanese counterparts, ensure the success of each and every defense exchange project through our solid efforts, sow the seeds of friendship, deliver a message of peace, and make due contribution to the friendliness between the two nations for generations to come."

Major-Gen. Shinichi Tokumaru of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force said the visit would help consolidate the friendly ties between the two countries.

"Japan and China are both Asian powers. Defense exchanges between us will help maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."

During the ship's stay, officers from both sides will visit each other's warships and hold seminars to exchange experience with disaster relief and other activities. "Sazanami" will also be open to visits for local residents.

"This is my first trip to China. I had been looking forward to this trip, and I'm very happy to be here now. I wish to know more about my Chinese counterparts," said Hiroyuki Shiosaki, a visiting staff trainer with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

"Japan and China are neighboring countries, separated only by a strip of water. I think the hearts of the Japanese people and the Chinese people are also closely connected."

At a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Liu Jianchao said the visit of the Japanese warship would enhance understanding, friendship and trust between the two countries.

The visit had been in accordance with the consensus of both countries' top leaders and the defence ministries had agreed on the details of the visit, Liu said, adding the cooperation and exchange on defence of the two countries would receive understanding and support from the people of both sides.

Chinese naval soldiers line up to welcome the arrival of Japanses destroyer Sazanami in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province June 24, 2008. The Japanese warship will stay for five days after Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen visited Tokyo in November 2007. [Xinhua]

 

Japanese soldiers unload relief materials for the victims in Sichuan earthquakes in Zhanjiang port June 24, 2008. [Xinhua]

Editor: Yan