SHANGHAI, December 11 (ChinaMil) -- The British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring (D32) carrying 229 officers and men arrived in Shanghai for a four-day-long goodwill visit on the morning of December 10, 2013. It is the destroyer's maiden visit to China.

Vice Admiral Su Zhiqian, commander of the East China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLAN), met with Rear Admiral Matthew J. Parr, operations commander of the British Royal Navy, and his party who flew from Britain to Shanghai to participate in the visit, at 15:00 at a Maritime Garrison Command under the East China Sea fleet of the PLAN, and the two sides held a frank and friendly talk and exchanged views on issues of common concern.

During the meeting, Vice Admiral Su Zhiqian expressed his warm welcome to Rear Admiral Matthew J. Parr for his visit to China. He expressed that the visit is of great significance in deepening mutual understanding and promoting bilateral cooperation. He hoped that the two sides will continue to strengthen exchanges, deepen cooperation, remove obstacles and enhance mutual trust, so as to push forward healthy and stable development of the relations between the two militaries with positive and pragmatic actions.

Rear Admiral Matthew J. Parr agreed with Su Zhiqian's comment on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries, appreciated Su’s proposals and expressed that he will try his best to make new contributions to the development of the relations between the two militaries and the promotion of the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Afterwards, Rear Admiral Matthew J. Parr paid an official call on government officials of Shanghai along with main naval officers.

It is learnt that the two sides will hold an anti-piracy seminar, visit each other's warships and stage a friendly basketball match during the ship visit.