"Both nations have entered a new era of relations and our militaries should be expected to provide significant contributions to future progress."

Vice Adm. Zhang Dingfa
Commander, North Sea Fleet
Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy.

"The timing of this visit is particularly fortuitous since it comes only a month after our two Presidents met here in China," said Vice Adm. Natter during a press conference immediately after the ships’ arrival. "This visit is a good example of how our two nations -- and our two navies -- are building a closer relationship … a relationship that I hope will grow even stronger."

Qingdao, which means "Green Island" in Chinese and derives its name from the town’s location at the tip of a promontory enclosing a large bay, is considered a seaside resort by the Chinese. The men and women of the U.S. Seventh Fleet enjoyed Qingdao's cool sea breezes and gentle beaches during their visit. However, since it is not considered a foreign tourist spot, the presence of U.S. Navy personnel was a somewhat rare event.

Chinese hospitality began soon after pulling into the pier. The People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-Navy) hosted a "mixer", or gathering on the pier for all hands. Hundreds of American sailors mingled with Chinese sailors with whom, despite many differences, they shared individual honor and a commitment to their respective navies. Communication gaps existed only if sailors let them. A smile, a friendly handshake, and an exchange of nautical trinkets -- these were the avenues to communication. The initial apprehension soon subsided, as food and entertainment became the main ingredient at the festivities.

 While in port, officers, sailors and Marines from both ships had an opportunity to sightsee, shop, and enjoy Qingdao. Tours of PLA-Navy ships enabled the American sailors to experience a different culture. They toured three Chinese naval ships: the frigates Tongling, and Xining and the destroyer Qingdao. Chinese sailors visited the USS Blue Ridge and USS John McCain. More than 1,800 Chinese military and 3,000 civilians visited both American ships during the two days the ships were opened for tours.

Vice Adm. Natter made official calls on Vice Adm. Zhang Dingfa, Commander, North Sea Fleet; Vice Adm. Shi Yunsheng, Commander of the PLA-Navy; Vice Adm. He Pengfei, Deputy Commander of PLA-Navy; and Wang Jiarui, Mayor of Qingdao. News of the U.S. Navy’s visit was broadcast on national television throughout China and the visit received extensive coverage in the print media.

"The efforts of the People’s Republic of China to demonstrate some reciprocity and expansion of military to military interaction were clear signals of the evolution in our relations that is taking place," noted Vice Adm. Natter.

"Both nations have entered a new era of relations and our militaries should be expected to provide significant contributions to future progress," said Vice Adm. Zhang. He added that during the recent presidential summit, an agreement was made to develop a constructive bilateral strategic relationship. Additionally, he believed that recent visits to China by Adm. Jay Johnson, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations and Adm. Archie Clemins, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, had a deep impact on improving relations between the two countries. "I believe the current Seventh Fleet visit will have the same effect," Vice Adm. Zhang said.

One of the highlights of the visit, which dozens of US sailors took part in, was a two-day tour to Beijing. It began with a visit to the Great Wall of China, one of the wonders of the world. "The wall was quite fascinating because I didn’t realize it was so long—almost 4,000 miles (6,440 km)," said Lt. Deborah Senn, USN, Fleet Signal Intelligence Officer. "The day was a little hazy, so I couldn’t see as far as I would have liked, but climbing the wall was an awe-inspiring feeling." Other sites visited by Seventh Fleet sailors were Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, both steeped in rich, ancient history. At 34 acres (about 14 hectares) in area, Tiananmen is the largest square in the world, but to some, the vast size was still unexpected.

When stormy weather forced the airliner to return to Beijing with 165 tired American military personnel, who had spent the day touring Beijing and were returning to Qingdao, the U.S. sailors and Marines thought they would have to spend the night on airport benches. But, they did not count on the hospitality of the Chinese Navy. When PLA-Navy officials learned of the problem, they bussed the Americans to a PLA-Navy-owned hotel in Beijing, provided their meals and put them up for the night, all at no charge. The Chinese Navy's hospitality was greatly appreciated by the weary Americans, making a great tour even more unforgettable.

Even though Chinese history dates back five thousand years, the Chinese and American navies also made history during the visit. Cultural differences aside, sailing was the common denominator that bridged the gap between the two groups.

"While our most recent history of interaction is relatively short, our navies share ties that go deeper than people in other professions … because we are all sailors," said Vice Adm. Natter. "As such, we share a common set of maritime values, a common respect for the power of the sea, and a common seagoing sense of hard work and discipline."