China's marine patrol ship Haixun 31 arrived in Singapore on Sunday for a five-day visit, the first visit by a marine patrol ship to Singapore.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony at the cruise terminal, Captain M. Segar, director of the port division at the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore, said the visit, following a visit to Singapore by China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) Deputy Director Chen Aiping in May, "demonstrates the strong bilateral relationship" between Singapore's MPA and China's MSA.
"The arrival of Haixun 31 affirms the solid and growing level of cooperation and understanding" between the MPA and MSA, he said.
Liang Jianwei, director of Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, said the visit was part of the exchange and cooperation program agreed upon by the maritime authorities of the two countries during Chen's visit in May.
The visit is aimed to boost mutual trust and advance friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit and the members of the Chinese delegation hope to use the opportunity to discuss with their Singapore colleagues challenges and experiences in maritime management, he said.
"We are hoping for the two sides to enhance their communication and exchange, push forward cooperation and improve our capability in maritime safety services and management and the ultimate aim is to protect the marine environment and work for a better maritime future for both of us," he said.
Haixun 31 is part of the maritime law enforcement unit of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
With the capacity to carry helicopters, it is one of China's most advanced patrol ships. The ship left Zhuhai in China's southern province of Guangdong on June 15. It will leave Singapore on June 24.
Questions:
1. What is the name of the ship that arrived in Singapore?
2. Why did it go to Singapore?
3. Which unit is the ship a part of?
Answers:
1. Haixun 31.
2. Part of a cooperation program.
3. Law enforcement unit of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for the China Daily for one year.