Japanese warship lowers gangway to let Chinese visitors in for a closer look
- Vessel among several open to the public in Qingdao for two days to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese navy
A Japanese destroyer was a popular draw in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on Wednesday when its crew lowered the gangway for visitors as part of 70th anniversary celebrations for the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
The Japanese Akizuki-class Suzutsuki destroyer was one of dozens of Chinese and foreign warships that took part in a naval parade off the city’s coast on Tuesday. It is also among those allowing the public on board over two days to give enthusiasts a closer look at vessels and equipment that were obscured by heavy mist during the parade.
But even on closer inspection many Chinese visitors mistook the Suzutsuki for China’s Type 052D Xining guided-missile destroyer – the warship from which Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw the parade – because both vessels have the same ship number.
There was no confusion for Qingdao resident Bill Yang, who said the open days were a chance for China and Japan to learn more about each other.
“China and Japan are close neighbours, but they don’t understand each other very well, with many Chinese basing their view of Japan on the bitterness of anti-Japanese history,” said Yang, an engineer from a state-owned enterprise.
