USS Blue Ridge, U.S. 7th Fleet Visit Shanghai

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040224-N-3931M-119 Shanghai, China (Feb. 24, 2004) – Vice Adm. Robert Willard, Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet, receives a traditional greeting of flowers from a representative of the People's Liberation Army (Navy) prior to a press conference on Gaoyang Pier, while in front of the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). The U.S. Seventh Fleet command ship Blue Ridge is visiting Shanghai on a regularly scheduled port visit, and last visited the port city in March 2001. Shanghai, called "Hu" for short, is a bustling metropolis located at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Connected with Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the west, the city is exposed to the East China Sea in the east. With a total area of 6,341 square kilometers (about 2,448 square miles) and a population of more than 13 million, Shanghai is China’s largest city. Sailors and Marines from the ship and embarked staff will take an opportunity to experience the local culture and interacted with their counterparts from the People's Liberation Army (Navy). The amphibious command ship is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael R. McCormick (RELEASED)

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USS Blue Ridge, U.S. 7th Fleet Visit Shanghai
Story Number: NNS040224-02
Release Date: 2/24/2004 9:15:00 AM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

SHANGHAI, China (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived here for a regularly scheduled port visit Feb. 24.

Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and Capt. J. Stephen Maynard, Blue Ridge commanding officer, met with senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) (Navy) officials during a welcoming ceremony on Gaoyang Pier.

“It’s been three years since Blue Ridge has visited mainland China,” said Willard. “I can think of no port of call as historic and with such a world-renowned reputation for hospitality than Shanghai.”

Blue Ridge last visited Shanghai in March 2001.

Willard said he and Maynard plan to formally meet with their colleagues in the PLA Navy and the city of Shanghai over the next several days and exchange tours of the U.S. 7th Fleet command and control ship Blue Ridge and a PLA (Navy) frigate.

In remarks made before the press, military personnel and others, Willard expressed his regard for the continuing relationship the U.S. Navy shares with the PLA Navy.

“The 7th Fleet has had a very successful 2003, and we hope we will have an equally successful 2004 in exchanging port visits between ourselves and the PLA Navy,” said Willard. “This opportunity for Blue Ridge to visit China, much like the other opportunities for 7th Fleet ships to visit mainland China, is intended to continue what is evolving as a regular military-to-military contact opportunity between us and our PLA colleagues.”

Willard emphasized the magnitude of the visit for Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines, and the unique experience they have before them.

“We look forward to this very much, not only for the opportunity for senior level military-to-military contact, but also for the opportunities the Sailors will have to get to know the Chinese and Shanghai better,” he said.

Blue Ridge is forward deployed to the western Pacific and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan.

For more information, visit the U.S. 7th Fleet Web site at www.c7f.navy.mil.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c7f.

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