Lieutenant General Su Shiliang (L), commander of China's South Sea Fleet, gestures while welcoming Major-Gen. Shinichi Tokumaru (R) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force after the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer arrived in Zhangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

ZHANJIANG, Guangdong, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer arrived here on Tuesday, starting a five-day visit to China.

The destroyer, Sazanami, carrying 240 Japanese officers, is the first Japanese warship to visit China since World War II.

The voyage is a return visit; the Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen docked in Japan late last year.

A welcoming ceremony was held for the Sazanami's arrival in Zhanjiang, along with a transfer ceremony of quake aid from the Japanese Defense Ministry and Self Defense Forces, which was carried on the destroyer.

The materials, including food, blankets, hygiene masks, disinfectants and other items, will be unloaded by Wednesday and then travel to the quake zone by train.

"The visit is a sign of the friendly ties between the Chinese people and the Japanese people," Lieutenant General Su Shiliang, commander of China's South Sea Fleet, told a press conference after the welcoming ceremony.

Su expressed gratitude to Japan for providing aid and assistance after the May 12 earthquake and for relief materials shipped to the quake zone.

The Sazanami's visit will promote exchanges between the two defense departments, help build mutual trust, and enhance the development of the China-Japan strategic, mutually beneficial relationship, Su said.

"We hope to work together with our Japanese counterparts, ensure the success of each and every defense exchange project through our solid efforts, sow the seed of friendship, deliver a message of peace, and make due contribution to the friendliness between the two nations for generations to come," he said.

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer arrived in Zhangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday, starting a five-day visit to China. The destroyer, Sazanami, carrying 240 Japanese officers, is the first Japanese warship to visit China since World War II. (Xinhua Photo)

Major-Gen. Shinichi Tokumaru of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force said he believed that the visit would help consolidate the friendly ties between the two countries.

"Japan and China are both Asian powers. Defense exchanges between us will help maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

During the Sazanami's five-day stay at Zhanjiang, Chinese and Japanese army officers will visit each other's warships and hold seminars to exchange experience with disaster relief and other activities. The Sazanami will also be open to local residents in Zhanjiang.

"This is my first trip to China. I had been looking forward to this trip, and I'm very happy to be here now. I wish to know more about my Chinese counterparts," said Hiroyuki Shiosaki, a visiting staff trainer with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

"Japan and China are neighboring countries, separated only by a strip of water. I think the hearts of the Japanese people and the Chinese people are also closely connected," he said.

Source: Xinhua