Training vessel will take part in joint exercises

The high-seas-going training ship Zheng He of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of Oct 12 for a four-day training exchange and good will visit.

The ship received a warm welcome at Pier 26 from US Navy officials, local Chinese organizations and associations such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Hawaii Chinese Overseas Association and volunteer Chinese nationals.

For US Navy public affairs officer Krystyna Nowakowski, it was her second time on board the Zheng He and she was delighted to see her Chinese culture course teacher from the Chinese navy again.

"I was on board the Zheng He when the ship was sailing across the Atlantic in 2013. I was a third-year student at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. I had two Chinese culture courses and had a great time," Nowakowski said.

Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the US Wu Xi and Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles Sun Lushan were also on hand with the US navy band to greet the Chinese crew with shakes and smiles.

"This is the second time the ship has made a visit to Pearl Harbor, the first time being in April 1989," said Ye Kaihua, commanding officer of the Zheng He.

"We are excited to have this second 'handshake' with our American counterparts, exchanging knowledge and skills."