History was made 9 March 1997 when three People's Republic of China (PRC) Navy ships arrived at Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Naval base in Hawaii, for a four-day visit. The arrival marked the first time Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) ships pulled into an American port since the training ship Zheng He made a port call at Pearl Harbor in 1989.

About 300 guests attended the arrival ceremony, which included music by U.S. Pacific Fleet Band (which played national anthems of both countries), welcoming comments from Adm. Archie Clemins (Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet) and comments by Vice Adm. Wang Yongguo, Commander, PLAN South Seas Fleet.

"Today's visit marks a major milestone in Chinese and American relations," said Adm. Clemins. "These three ships are the first Chinese ships to visit Hawaii in eight years, and they will be the first Chinese ships to ever visit San Diego [California]. In today's visit, our navies are entering a new era of peace and cooperation. Sailors around the world share a unique bond. Although we come from different backgrounds and cultures, we share a common sense of love of country and respect for the sea.

"This common bond gives a unique perspective as we come together to interact, build on our friendship and further the cause of peace," he continued.

Adm. Clemins also spoke of the political relationship the two countries share. "With 56 billion dollars of trade between us, China and the United States have a shared stake in maintaining peace and stability throughout the region. But our ties go deeper than economics. Today there are over two million Americans from Chinese ancestry in the United States, which gives us strong emotional ties as well. That unique facet of our relationship is very apparent today with the large turnout of the Chinese Hawaii community."

Throughout the admiral's comments, strict discipline prevailed as the Chinese sailors "stood by," silently manning the rails of all three ships. That rigidity wavered slightly when Vice Adm. Wang spoke. His enthusiasm moved the sailors and the Chinese greeters alike.

"After eight years we have come again!" exclaimed Vice Adm. Wang, speaking through an interpreter. "The purpose of this visit is to increase the understanding between our two armed forces. We really hope the Pacific Ocean will be a bond to join the two nations.

"I believe we will come further in deepening our ties, enhancing trust, and promoting the development of friendly relations through extensive contacts between officers and men from both countries," he said. "I wish for continued development of the friendship between the two peoples, the two omniforces, and the two navies."

Other high-ranking visitors and greeters spoke at length of the friendship between the two countries and of the significance of this rare port call.

Throughout the formal ceremony, greeters waved small American and Chinese flags at the 230-man crew from the Harbin (DDG 112), the 280-man crew of the Zhuhai (DDG 166) and the 280-man Nancang (AO 953).

One flag waver, Anita Wong, brought a group of 30 greeters with her. Ms. Wong is president of the U.S./China People's Friendship Association. "This visit is very historical - very, very historical - for the U.S.," she said. "We've never had anything on a scale like this before. We've been trying to better the relations between the U.S. and China on a people-to-people basis."

"This is a beautiful place," said Harbin's medical officer. "I've been to America once before, five years ago, but never to Hawaii.

Just hours after the official welcoming ceremony, Chinese and American sailors met for a soccer match and picnic. Both sides were winners, the game ended up a tie, and the afternoon was a "good afternoon," according to a 29-year old officer from the Nancang.

After the game, sailors relaxed during the picnic. Complete with American food favorites such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans and soda, the event featured lively entertainment as well. The Chinese Navy Band and the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band took turns delighting the audience of several hundred.

The next day, representatives from the American and Chinese Navies visited the Arizona Memorial to lay a wreath and pay their respects to American sailors who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Adm. Archie Clemins and Vice Adm. He Pengfei, Deputy Commander, People's Liberation Army-Navy, took part in the event.

Earlier that morning, 150 PLAN sailors joined the ranks of thousands who have visited the USS Arizona Memorial.

"Most of the [Chinese] sailors were very impressed," said Wu Yuehui, who translated for the Chinese. "I remember a Chinese warship also sunk in the second world war. It was lifted up from the water and shown to the public. The Americans have a different way of doing it, they left the ship in the water. It's really more impressive because it's natural and the people can see what's happened. It's more vivid."

Later that day, American sailors from USS Ingersoll (DD 990) got a brief tour of the Chinese destroyer Harbin and hosted more than 150 of their counterparts as they took part in reciprocal ship tours. About 30 U.S. sailors took a brief Harbin tour while 150 Chinese sailors visited Ingersoll, taking pictures with and enjoying the hospitality extended by their escorts.

On the Ingersoll, Chinese sailors saw and asked questions about Ingersoll's guns and missile launchers. Later, they were treated to oatmeal cookies and fresh fruit on the ship's mess decks. Overall, they were impressed with how clean Ingersoll was and the technologically advanced weapons systems.

Using the truly international language of music, Chinese and American bands then performed everything from traditional marches to 1940s swing in a combined concert. According to Senior Capt. Li Xing, Chinese band master, the visit posed an excellent opportunity for the two bands to expand their horizons by learning each other's music.

"We were deeply impressed with the good feelings when we arrived in Hawaii and hoped to have a joint performance between the two bands," said Li. "In my opinion there are different, unique styles of the different Navy bands. We can learn from each other and make a giant improvement."

"They seemed to work well together," said Cpl. Mark Carbone, a member of the Marine Forces Pacific Band, one of the many who viewed the historic event near the Pearl Harbor Gazebo. "Music brings people together regardless of nationality, and it's impressive to see all their hard work come together."

More than 400 of the Chinese sailors embarked on a four-hour foot tour exploring the streets of Waikiki. They went from Pearl Harbor to Waikiki on four specially chartered buses. Once they reached Fort DeRussy, the large, unescorted group quickly dispersed into many different directions. As they hit the streets, many heads turned because they were dressed in their military best. One Chinese sailor was overheard saying, "we are proud of our country and ship."

Some sailors were interested in shopping for souvenirs, stopping to buy T-shirts, books, postcards, cigarettes, and even a dress for a girlfriend back home. The majority of sailors, however, had bundles of letters in hand and headed straight for a post office as if they had been there several times before; yet this visit to Hawaii was the first for most of the 810 crewmembers.

Many Chinese sailors expressed their hope to return to Hawaii on their way back to the PRC after their eastern Pacific tour to San Diego, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. Many also expressed their enjoyment of the four-day Pearl Harbor visit.

"The whole visit has been great," summarized Rear Adm. William Sutton, Commander, Naval Base, Pearl Harbor. "As your journey continues, we hope your San Diego visit is as exciting as this visit," he concluded.