Commander of the North China Sea Fleet, Ding Yiping, said Wednesday that he hoped the visit of a Chinese flotilla to Ukraine will promote exchanges between navies of the two countries.
Ding, who headed the flotilla of two Chinese naval ships on a three-day goodwill visit, made the remarks when meeting with Ukrainian Navy Commander Mikhail Yezhel.
Ding said it was significant in deepening friendship and promoting exchanges of navies and peoples of the two countries.
The Chinese navy is ready to communicate with the navies of all countries, especially with the Ukrainian navy which has a long history and fine traditions, said Ding.
Extending a warm welcome to the Chinese flotilla, Yezhel said the two navies shared a common ground in loving and defending peace. The Ukraine navy hoped Chinese naval servicemen will take opportunity to promote their understanding of Ukraine and Ukrainian people.
The flotilla sailed Tuesday into the port of Sevastopol, on the southern tip of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. It was the first visit by warships of the Chinese Navy.
(People's Daily June 27, 2002)
