Int´l fleet review off Qingdao concludes

Source: Xinhua | 04-23-2009 17:09

QINGDAO, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao reviewed foreign vessels Thursday afternoon in waters off Qingdao, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

U.S. navy missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald is seen during  an international fleet review in waters off China's port  city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on April  23, 2009. A total of 21 visiting naval vessels from 14  countries took part in the review, celebrating the 60th  anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's  Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.(Xinhua/Li Gang)

A total of 21 visiting naval vessels from 14 countries took part in the review with the rhythms of "March of the Review," a Chinese melody usually played for formal occasions. All the foreign ships flew their flags at full-staff.

The foreign vessels lined up in a row in the order of combatant ships, landing craft, auxiliary ships and a sailing ship for training. In each category, the order of placement was based on tonnages.

President Hu, aboard the PLA Navy destroyer Shijiazhuang, first passed by the Russian cruiser CG-011 Varyag, a 11,500-tonne vessel which was commissioned in 1989 and carries 529 crew.