'Zheng He' ship visits Ecuador

The "Zheng He" oceangoing training ship of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducting the task of "Harmonious Mission - the 'Zheng He' ship's round-the-world voyage" arrived in the Port of Guayaquil at 10:00, on July 13, 2012, local time, for a 6-day-long friendly visit to the Republic of Ecuador.

The naval band, guard of honor, and the officers and men of the Naval Academy of Ecuador held a solemn and warm welcome ceremony for the "Zheng He" ship at the port. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador, and China-funded institutions, as well as overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals totaling 300-plus people welcomed the visit of the "Zheng He" ship at the port.

During the visit in Ecuador, the officers and men and cadets on the "Zheng He" training ship will conduct comprehensive and multi-layered exchanges with the Ecuadorian Navy and hold opening days to the public.

This is the 3rd visit of Chinese naval ships to Ecuador. Ecuador is the only South American country visited by the "Zheng He" training ship in this global voyage. This is the second global voyage organized by the Chinese Navy after its first one ten years ago. The total voyage will cover about 32,000 nautical miles (around 58,000 kilometers).