Yesterday morning, the Chinese naval task force, made up of missile destroyer "Harbin" and comprehensive supply vessel "Hongzehu ", left Auckland, the largest city of New Zealand, for Wellington, capital of New Zealand.

　　During the visit to Auckland, New Zealand Navy accorded warm and friendly reception to the officers and men of the Chinese naval task force, and it held grand Maori welcome ceremony to entertain the Chinese naval officers and men. Deputy Commander of the New Zealand Navy Commodore Tony Pall met with the Chinese naval officers and men at the Maori Hall, and Vice Admiral Su Shiliang, commander of the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, made a very warm speech in response.

　　During the visit, tens of thousands of Chinese nationals and overseas Chinese visited the battle ships from their motherland, and on October 9 alone, over 22,000 people visited the ships. Ma Chongren, Chinese consul general to Auckland, said: "The Chinese Navy's visit has showcased the hard and soft power of China, and the PLA Navy is truly a strong, civilized and peace-loving force. The visit has served as a seeding-machine and a propaganda team, as it has inspired the strong patriotism among overseas Chinese."

　　By Ma Sancheng and Cao Jinping

　　(Oct 11, PLA Daily)