Red dawn
NO, THIS is not the dawning of
The duo had already called in at St their four-day stay in Portsmouth. seemed to gravitate towards Gunwharf ‘stricken’ merchant vessel (aka the Wei
the apocalypse.
Petersburg and Cadiz before arriving in Task group commander Rear Admiral Quays). Shanhu).
Instead, it’s an impressive (and arty)
the Solent, a journey, so far, of 12,000 Su Zhiqian and his team were given a Coaches were also laid on to take the With the ‘emergency’ mastered,
shot – by LA(Phot) Dave Gallagher, FRPU
miles. VIP tour of HMS Victory and NATO Chinese sailors to the capital to catch the three ships formed up line astern,
Whale Island – of the Chinese support
Greeting the ships were the saluting fl agship HMS Ark Royal, while 30 of his the sights of the big city. before the Chinese vessels steamed
ship Wei Shanhu entering Portsmouth
guns of Fort Blockhouse in Gosport and, sailors performed two concerts in the With the four-day stay done, the past Ark at high speed, their sailors
Harbour at the start of a four-day offi cial
once alongside at South Railway Jetty, Victory Arena. two ships departed Portsmouth lining the decks as the two navies
visit to the UK.
around 400 members of the Chinese The Chinese sailors also toured HMS accompanied by HMS Ark Royal for an saluted each other.
It’s the fi rst time in six years that
community in Britain, plus China’s Collingwood and, on the sporting front, exercise with the flat-top. The Chinese duo continued their
vessels from the People’s Republic of
Ambassador to the UK Fu Yung, and challenged HMS Illustrious to a football Ark hosted a delegation of Chinese, grande tour upon leaving British waters,
China have called in on Portsmouth
Cdre Andrew Cameron, Commodore match at HMS Temeraire. keen to learn about carrier operations heading first for France, then on to
Naval Base.
Portsmouth Flotilla. There was also a There was, of course, time for fun too. (China possesses no flat-top presently Cadiz again before returning to the Far
Wei Shanhu is the trusty aide of suitably colourful display by a Chinese The RN provided information packs, but has a partially-built carrier). East.
guided missile destroyer Guangzhou, dragon. translated into Mandarin for the 500 The three vessels carried out a As for Ark, she could be found
which has been touring Europe since A mixture of offi cial visits, sporting Chinese sailors, giving them an idea mock search and rescue mission in conducting amphibious exercises off
leaving home at Sanya in China’s activities and entertainment were lined of some of the local attractions, pubs the Channel, sending first aid and fire- Browndown beach in Gosport as Navy
Hainan Province in late July. up for the 500 Chinese sailors during and restaurants (most of the visitors fighting teams in seaboats to help a News went to press.
● Guangzhou’s sailors line up for the ceremonial entry to Portsmouth Picture: LA(Phot) Emz Tucker, FRPU Whale Island
003_NN_Oct.indd 1 18/9/07 16:32:54
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52