After supporting ongoing British relief efforts in the Philippines, HMS Daring has arrived in Shanghai.
The goodwill visit to China comes at an important time in bilateral relations, just after the UK-China summit when Prime Minister David Cameron led a strong delegation of ministers and businessmen to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.
In front of a packed media audience, Ambassador to China, Sebastian Wood said:
“The visit of HMS Daring is an exciting moment for relations between our two nations.
“It symbolizes the potential for deeper cooperation between us in areas from security to creativity, culture and innovation.”
HMS Daring, the first of the British Royal Navy’s six £1bn Type 45 destroyers, is two thirds of the way through a nine-month deployment.
She was taking part in an exercise with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia as part of the Five Powers Defence Arrangement when she was re-tasked to the Philippines to deliver aid after Typhoon Haiyan hit the region on 7 November 2013.
With HMS Illustrious now also deployed to the Philippines, HMS Daring has been able to continue with its planned deployment.
The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer arrived in central Shanghai on 10 December, berthing at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal close to her PLA Navy host ship, the Xuzhou.
As well as being the first Type 45 destroyer to visit the country, Daring was the first Royal Navy vessel into the People’s Republic in five years.
As well as events with her PLAN hosts, Daring staged an evening reception, hosted UK business in China and a counter-piracy conference.
In addition, her detachment of musicians from the Royal Marines Band performed at the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower which rises 468m (1,535ft) above the city.
“Although ship visits to China are infrequent we hope HMS Daring’s visit is the first of many such interactions between our militaries,” said Commander Angus Essenhigh, the ship’s Commanding Officer.
“We share similar global challenges such as counter-piracy, preventing conflict, protecting our citizens overseas and supporting United Nations peacekeeping efforts and we are looking forward to developing our navy-to-navy links.”
On a more solemn note, Daring’s ship’s company will take part in a service of commemoration for gunboat HMS Peterel, sunk on the second day of the war with Japan, December 8 1941.
Peterel was based in Shanghai – near to where HMS Daring was berthed – and her mixed Royal Navy and Chinese crew fought bravely against overwhelming odds before her commander, reservist Lt Stephen Polkinghorn, was forced to abandon ship; Chinese in sampans came to their assistance.
Consul General in Shanghai, Brian Davidson, said:
“This visit helps showcase the best of British innovation, the cultural ties between the UK and China, and of course the emphasis that Britain places on our relationship with China.”
[mappress] Press Release, December 12, 2013; Image: Royal Navy