Chinese navy off on round-the-world voyage

Dalian (CNS) -- The Chinese naval vessel Zheng He departed on its goodwill voyage around the world from a military port in Dalian, Liaoning Province on Monday morning. The vessel will pay friendly visits to 11 countries over the next five months.

Some 308 sailors from the Chinese navy and students of naval colleges from 13 other countries man the expedition, 13 of whom are females.

It is the second round-the-world sail sponsored by the Chinese navy since they took its maiden voyage ten years ago, said Wu Shengli, commander of the Chinese Navy. He said the expedition aims to develop the innovative capability and marine skills of students, tailored to the goal of transforming China's naval force.

The vessel will travel 30,000 nautical miles and visit the ports of eleven nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Italy, Spain, Canada, Ecuador, French Polynesia, the Tonga Islands, Indonesia and Brunei.

The vessel Zheng He is named after the famous Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral who commanded voyages from 1405 to 1433 reaching Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, and the Horn of Africa collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He.