US coast guard ship makes historic China visit
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-06-12 08:41
A US Coast Guard cutter with 168 crew arrived in eastern China at the weekend
for what US authorities called a "historic" visit aimed at improving
international cooperation in maritime law enforcement.
The Honolulu-based Rush, which will remain in the Chinese port of Qingdao
until Thursday, is "the first major cutter to visit China since World War II,"
according to a statement released by the US Coast Guard on Sunday.
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US Coast Guard's Cutter Rush is docked at the
eastern Chinese port of Qingdao on Sunday. US authorities are calling the
visit "historic", as it is the first major cutter to visit China since
World War II, aimed at improving international cooperation in maritime law
enforcement. [newsphoto]
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"During this historic port call, Rush will engage in professional law
enforcement exchanges with the China Ministry of Public Security Border Control
Department," the statement said.
A formal welcoming ceremony for the 378-foot (110-meter) Rush was held in
Qingdao on Sunday, a spokesman for the US embassy in Beijing told AFP.
"We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our fellow maritime
safety and security professionals on issues of mutual importance," said the
cutter's commanding officer, Captain Dana Ware.
The Coast Guard said the training exercises, to include the demonstration of
techniques for boarding and searching suspect vessels, would "enhance
international collaboration and cooperation between foreign coast guards".
The exercises come within the framework of the North Pacific Coast Guard
Forum set up in 1999, which brings together coast guards from Canada, China,
Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
Late last month, China and South Korea opted not to participate in six-nation
anti-smuggling drills in Japanese waters.
The US Coast Guard ship Sequoia, a smaller cutter, visited China at that
time.
Washington, which has called on China to be more transparent with respect to
military spending, has said it wants to deepen military cooperation with Beijing
in order to reduce the risk of a future confrontation.
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