Chinese rescue ship visits Malaysia

Chinese patrol and search-and-rescue vessel "MV Haixun 01" arrived in Malaysia's Klang Port on Wednesday for the last leg of its four-country goodwill visit to Australia and Southeast Asia.

China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA)'s largest and most advanced vessel was warmly welcomed by Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi and the representative from Malaysia Maritime Department.

Xu Guoyi, Director-General of Shanghai MSA, said officials and the crew will visit Malaysian maritime agencies to exchange experience and lessons on maritime operations.

"The delegation will visit Malaysian airports to learn how Malaysian agencies operate maritime petrol planes; we are also visiting a Malaysian maritime college to learn how Malaysia trains its sailors," Xu told reporters.

Ahmad Khairuddin bin Ismail, a senior official at Malaysia Maritime Department, said he was impressed by "Haixun 01."

"It has been a good cooperation between the two countries, and we are trying to explore what areas that we could have for China to assist us and perhaps what Malaysia can assist China," he said.

"Haixun 01" was officially put into service in April and is the first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions. Launched in July 2012, the 128.6- meter-long and 16-meter-wide vessel with a tonnage of 5,418 tons has a maximum sailing distance of 18,520 km without refueling.

The vessel has visited Australia, Indonesia and Myanmar after embarking on a 62-day voyage on June 10. It is expected to return to China after its visit to Malaysia.