The Var, a French command and replenishment ship and the flagship of the Joint Commander French Indian Ocean's Maritime Area, called in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday for a five-day visit.

Vice Admiral Gerard Valin, Joint Forces Commander Indian Ocean, said the French ship will be open to the public on Wednesday and will join the local government's Flying Service for a rescue exercise at sea on Friday to enhance cooperation.

Valin said he had met with officials of the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the government's Flying Service, adding that he was expecting a higher level of cooperation for the ship's second visit to Hong Kong.

"I first came here in 1997. The people here are friendly," Valin told a press conference Monday afternoon.

Some of the sailors on board said they were happy to be in Hong Kong and were looking forward to visits to the shopping malls and other interesting places.

One of the four replenishment and command ships of the French Navy, the Var can provide logistics support to overseas deployed warships and planes. It also carries an important command task with Vice Admiral Gerard Valin in charge.

It was carrying some 160 crew members and 40 command staff members.

The Var visited Hong Kong for the first time in June 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2008)