In the wake of successfully fulfilling the task of participating in the multilateral maritime military exercise of the Second Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), the "Xiangfan" missile frigate of the PLA Navy returned to China at 5:00 pm on May 23 and berthed at the mother port of Sanya, Hainan Province.

　　The entire trip took "Xiangfan" 13 days counting from May 11 when it sailed off Sanya of Hainan Province for the exercise with a total voyage of 2,741 nautical miles. In the short six days after deducting the time used for sailing to and fro, "Xiangfan" attended the International Maritime Defense Exhibition Asia (IMDEX Asia) 2007, the fourth multilateral online military exercise of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and the second multilateral maritime exercise of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium. While anchoring at the port of Singapore, over 1,000 people from various circles visited it. During the whole course of participating in every subject of the maritime exercise, the entire "Xiangfan" crew showed good tactical quality and skills as well as sound capability in acting according to circumstances.

　　It was the first time for the PLA Navy to take part in an actual troops exercise within the framework of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and likewise the first time to send a single ship to participate in multilateral maritime joint military exercise. By observing the requirements of "fostering the image of a major responsible country, presenting the bearing of a peaceful force and fulfilling the task with high standards and quality", the Chinese officers and men participating in the exercises were keen to compare notes and cooperate with other naval forces, which resulted not only in enhancing the PLA Navy's abilities in taking part in multilateral military exercises but also in showing the good image of the PLA Navy as a powerful, civilized and peaceful force. In addition, they also displayed China's positive attitude and firm resolve to engage in the international affairs and safeguard the maritime security.

　　By Lu Desheng and Li Gencheng

　　(May 24, PLA Daily)