Text: USS Chancellorsville Completes Historic Port Visit to China
(Port calls provide mutual understanding between two nations and navies)The USS Chancellorsville visited the Chinese port of Qingdao August 2 - 5, making it the first U.S. Navy vessel to visit China (other than Hong Kong) since December 1998.
Following is the text of the U.S. Navy Wire Service (NWS) August 11 article on the visit:
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QINGDAO, China (NWS) -- Aside from a couple tug-of-war competitions and a basketball game, the men and women of USS Chancellorsville departed Qingdao, China, as winners Aug 5.
"I am very happy to have the Americans here," said Qingdao resident Becky Yuan. "(This visit) makes me happy because we like U.S. people. America and China can be friendly countries."
With the U.S. Navy and People's Liberation Army (Navy) the two largest navies in the region, it is hoped that such port calls provide mutual understanding between the two nations and navies.
"It was very clear to me on the pier that it was a particularly important day between the United States and China," said Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at a reception held by the host country the night of Chancellorsville's arrival, Aug 2.
"There is a very special bond between mariners. People who sail from all nations understand this," Fargo said. "And good relations between countries usually starts with their navies."
As the first U.S. Navy vessel to visit China, other than Hong Kong, since December 1998, the Ticonderoga-class cruiser was welcomed by the Chinese Sailors and the people of Qingdao. Chancellorsville sailors reinforced those sentiments as they spent liberty in and around the city, enjoyed various tours and interacted with Chinese sailors. Part of the visit's activities included sporting events between the two navies.
"We exchanged gifts with them before the match, then we went at it," said SH2 Marcus Ponder of Moultrie, Ga., a member of Chancellorsville's supply department. Ponder participated in the tug-of-war. "The only hard part was the language barrier, but it was all very friendly."
Sailors from both countries also got to see the other's work space, as Chancellorsville and PLA ships offered tours during the port visit. More than 6,000 people toured Chancellorsville in a two-day period.
Sailors also had the rare opportunity to take an overnight tour to the city of Beijing and travel to the Great Wall of China. GM3 Michael Tarr, assigned to Chancellorsville's weapons department, took the tour that also included stops at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. "It's actually hard to describe in words the kind of history we saw," said Tarr, a native of South El Monte, Calif. "We left awestruck. It was more than what I ever expected. It was definitely the best tour I've ever seen in the military."
Those who chose day tours of Qingdao, or just wanted to sightsee and shop, were also impressed by the people and places they encountered on liberty.
"The kids affected me the most," said SN Monica Sanchez, a San Antonio native and member of the ship's 1st division. "They were very interested in Americans and they tried speaking with us since they were learning English in school."
The people of China seemed equally affected by their visitors. As he addressed the crew after pulling out, Capt. Gordon Dorsey, Chancellorsville's commanding officer, relayed to them how Chinese newspapers throughout the country were noting how kind the U.S. sailors were. He told them they were great ambassadors for peace and stability.
"We are going to let the Chinese people see our secret weapon: our Sailors," Dorsey said on the first day of the visit. "They are the best and brightest. They have the dedication it takes to get their mission done and our visit here will be no exception."
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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