Proud to be a female sailor

At such beautiful time in one's life, these eight girls choose to stay on the ship, to be far away from home. They have to travel the seas for more than seven months, fight potential bad weather and pirate threats.

Li Mengdi (L) and Xie Weiwei are on duty. [Photo by Wang Changsong]

But the tough life on the sea has made them turn from rosebud into blossoming flowers. Sailor Fan Li Juan wrote in her diary, "Yesterday you were a girl. Today you are female sailor. Only after the storm, one can see a rainbow."

When asked about any worries in regards to the long escort mission, Kong Xiangyun said she felt very proud of herself and very lucky to have this chance at sailing out. It's the most meaningful thing in her life. There is nothing to worry about.

Rear Admiral Yuan Shaobai, commander of the Chinese Fleet, told a reporter that female sailors on combat posts during the escort mission will not only optimize the gender composition of the fleet, but also bring the Chinese navy more in line with international practices. This shows China's Navy is a civilized and peace-oriented force.

Chronicles of Chinese female sailors on board:

• In 1991, 17 female military medical staff went to the Nansha Islands by ship. It was the first time for Chinese female naval officers to execute an assignment by ship.
• In 2002, four Chinese female soldiers participated in the global voyage of the Chinese Navy.
•  In 2010, 14 combat posts in Chinese naval fleet to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters for escort missions open up to female sailors.
•  In March 2010, the first training base for female sailors was established. 24 soldiers became the first female sailors after a five-month-long training.
•  In September 2012, 12 female sailors took up their posts on the "Harbin" missile destroyer.

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