China's largest patrol vessel -- "Haixun 21" -- returned to Shanghai from Japan on Thursday, ending a joint maritime parade and comprehensive exercise.  

This is the first time for China's maritime patrol vessel to visit Japan. The Chinese vessel delegation attended a two-day joint maritime exercise in Japan hosted by the Japan Coast Guard starting from May 29.

During the exercise, the Chinese vessel carried out maritime rescue, counter-terrorism, hunting down pirates, and striking smuggling. The "Haixun 21" is currently the most advanced patrol vessel in China, with three-dimension monitoring and 24-hour maritime rescue capacity. The vessel is also the only one of its kind in China capable of accommodating helicopters.

The Chinese delegation also exchanged views with the Japanese side on maritime security management. Both sides pledged to step up cooperation in maritime security management and safeguard navigational security and oceanic environment.

He Jianzhong, head of the Chinese vessel delegation, said that the visit to Japan was of great significance for China's maritime development.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2004)