US Navy 'Blue Ridge' amphibious command ship visits Qingdao

The "Blue Ridge" amphibious command ship of the US Navy, led by Capt. Richard McCormack, began a friendly visit to Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, on the afternoon of August 5, 2014.

More than 200 people including Rear Admiral Yuan Yubai, deputy commander of the Jinan Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and commander of the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, Vice Admiral Thomas, commander of the United States Seventh Fleet, as well as representatives from the North China Sea Fleet and the US Navy delegation attended the welcoming ceremony held by the North China Sea Fleet at the pier.

This is the second time for the "Blue Ridge" ship to visit Qingdao since 1998. During the visit, officers and men from China and the US will hold exchange activities such as visiting each other's warships, discussions by officer- representatives, tug of war, basketball and football matches and so forth.

After the visit, the Chinese guided missile frigate "Yancheng" will launch joint drills with the "Blue Ridge" ship on such subjects as communications, maritime search and rescue off the coast of Qingdao.