TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- A group of pupils from a Yokohama-based Chinese language school gathered Saturday morning at Tokyo's Harumi wharf to see off the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's missile destroyer "Shenzhen," which concluded its four-day visit and was to start its journey back home.

　　They were among about 300 Japan-based Chinese to say good-bye to some 345 Chinese navy officials and crew members as well as the vessel, which carried out the PLA's first-ever warship visit to Japan from Wednesday.

　　"I was so happy to see the ship and felt proud of my homeland," said a three-grader named Tianqing.

　　Rear Admiral Xiao Xinnian, vice chief of staff of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai to shake hands with the crowd on the bank.

　　When the ship was led off the port by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF)'s frigate "Thunder" at 09:53 a.m. local time, people on the bank waved Chinese and Japanese national flags and unfolded banners wishing a good journey to "Shenzhen."

　　"The warship visit let me see the progress of my homeland, whose mightiness encourages me to hold my head high overseas," said Jiang Wei, a representative of Japan-based Chinese.

　　"Besides high-level political and defense communications, we overseas Chinese should do more to actively promote grass-root exchanges, so as to help strengthen the Sino-Japanese friendship and contribute to China's peaceful development," said Zeng Deshen, president of the general federation of Japan-based Chinese.

　　As the ship disappeared from sight, many were holding tears in their eyes. Some said they stepped onto the ship more than once and were deeply impressed by the Chinese sailors' friendliness.

　　"They were very hospitable and patiently answered all our detailed questions," said Tang, a Chinese businessman.

　　Just as Ambassador Cui Tiankai said, as the Chinese people's envoy of peace, "Shenzhen" carried to Japan the PLA's image of peace, friendship and civilization.

　　During the four-day stay starting Nov. 28, "Shenzhen" was open to the public. A sailor said many visitors asked for more than one pamphlet to give to their family members and friends.

　　"I was moved by the visitors' interest in us," he added.

　　While Chinese navy officials were meeting with Japanese officials from the defense ministry and the MSDF, Chinese crew members held a variety of activities with their Japanese counterparts.

　　An official on the ship said a Japanese visitor asked him who was the winner in the friendship soccer match. "And I told him, we formed mixed teams, so both sides won," the official told Xinhua with a smile.

　　The MSDF's Chief of Staff Eiji Yoshikawa described the visit of "Shenzhen" as the opening of a new page in the history of friendly communication between Japan and China.

　　Rear Admiral Xiao said he was lucky to be commander of the landmark voyage. "It's a glorious mission to make the sea between China and Japan into a sea of peace, friendship and harmony," he said.