A flavor of yesteryear returned to the modern southern metropolis of Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong Province, yesterday afternoon when the Gotheborg III anchored. 

After eight deafening cannon rounds Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia walked down the ship's steps along a red carpet and met local people, both Chinese and Swedish, who had come in their thousands to witness the arrival.

"The ship's return to China symbolizes the good and peaceful relationship between China and Sweden that has lasted as long as 260 years," said the king. He has been following the vessel's reconstruction closely for more than 10 years.

Gotheborg III is a replica of the original Gotheborg, which was one of the leading vessels of the Swedish East India Company during the 18th century. The merchant vessel returned home to Gothenburg from Guangzhou, then known as Canton, 260 years ago laden with a rich cargo of silk, tea, porcelain and spices. However, she struck a reef just half a mile from home on September 12, 1745 and sank.

"Some Swedes started to conceive the idea of rebuilding the ship in 1991," said Ulf Sormark, Swedish consul-general in Guangzhou. The reconstruction started one year later and was finally completed last year, he explained.  

"It's a great day for Gotheborg III for we have made a nearly impossible idea possible after over 10 years of struggle," said Peter Kaalings, captain of the ship. He added that at the start many Swedish people didn't believe it would be possible.

Unlike modern vessels with steel hulls and diesel engines, Kaaling told China Daily the ship was built according to its original specifications. "The replica ship has kept its original style and gives people a precious chance to experience the old sailing traditions," he said.

Kaaling outlined the basic features of the ship, which include:

• a 40-meter hull completely made of oak
• three masts made of fir wood the highest being 56 meters
• 25 sails of three different shapes weighing 20 tons in total
• 50 crewmen required for the roping and rigging of sails and scrubbing the decks

The ship departed on October 2 last year from Gothenburg. During its 10-month journey it has visited Cadiz in Spain, Recife in Brazil, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in South Africa, Fremantle in Australia and Jakarta in Indonesia. 

Along with a grand reception organized by the Guangzhou municipal government, local people gathered at Nansha Passenger Terminal to cheer the vessel's arrival. "I came here with my family very early this morning to get a glimpse of the ancient ship," said Chen Guiqiang, a local resident.

As the ship symbolized Guangzhou's importance as an historic international port people would know more about the city's history through its arrival, Chen said.

A series of events will be held in the city to reflect the friendly relations between China and Sweden, with an exhibition of rare porcelains salvaged from the wreckage being one of them. 

Guangzhou is the first port of call on the vessel's China tour. In mid-August it departs for Shanghai.

It's scheduled to sail back to Sweden after a two-month stopover in Shanghai and a two-week stay in a shipyard in southeast China's Zhejiang Province.

(China Daily July 19, 2006)