Chinese oceanographic research ship Zhu Kezhen being greeted by a Lion Dance upon arrival in Guayaquil Port, Ecuador, on June 7, 2015. (Photo : Xinhua)
The Chinese Navy’s oceanographic research ship Zhu Kezhen just recently wrapped up its five-day goodwill visit to the South American nation of Ecuador. The trip was part of China’s six-month global voyage that aims to utilize technical and scientific exchanges to further international cooperation.
Designed and built by China, the Zhu Kezhen is the Chinese Navy's newest oceanographic research ship.
Named after Zhu Kezhen, a renowned Chinese educator, meteorologist, and geologist, the oceanographic research ship represents the China Hydrographic Bureau in a global voyage that commenced in February.
Prior to its arrival in Ecuador's Guayaquil Port, the ship made stops to the Louis Port in Mauritius, the Port of Cape Town in South Africa, and the Salvador Port in Brazil. After Ecuador, the research ship will navigate the waters to reach Micronesia by July. Brazil and Ecuador are both member states of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
According to Captain Lv Jiedong, deputy commander of the Zhu Kezhen's combat support ship, the oceanographic research vessel was successful in carrying out scientific and academic exchanges with the countries it has visited. Captain Lv said that such exchanges led by the Chinese Naval Hydrographic Office (CNHO) are to become commonplace in the near future.
Inarguably one of the biggest benefits of such exchanges is improved and more accurate information for worldwide navigation, thanks to the addition of new sailing routes.
Having sailed over 23,000 nautical miles, the Zu Kezhen also conducted damage control exercises, anti-piracy drills, emergency surveys and tactical searches. Prior to its deployment for the global voyage, the Zu Kezhen also helped search for the missing Malaysian aircraft MH370.
The Zhu Kezhen is expected to return to Chinese seas in early August.
