By Cheng Jiahao, Wang Xiaomin, Duan Zhenjun
BEIJING, July 6 -- The 4-ship naval task force of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) led by aircraft carrier Shandong (Hull 17) started its open ship day activities in Hong Kong on July 4. Apart from aircraft carrier Shandong, guided-missile destroyer Zhanjiang (Hull 165) and guided-missile frigate Yuncheng (Hull 571) were also open to the public for visit at the Ngong Shuen Chau port.
At around 8:30 of July 4, the destroyer Zhanjiang received its first group of visitors. Among them, Shi Lingchi, who was wearing a bright red T-shirt, stood out particularly. Her grandfather once served on the PLA Navy's former Type 051G destroyer Zhanjiang, and today she boarded the Type 052D destroyer Zhanjiang with her grandfather's words in mind.
Now a PhD student majoring in physics at the City University of Hong Kong, Shi Lingchi grew up with her grandfather and often listened to his stories about the former destroyer Zhanjiang. Setting foot on the new destroyer today, she felt a lot.
"My grandfather had served on the old destroyer Zhanjiang for eight years," Shi Lingchi said. "He is now 80 years old and not in good health. I had always hoped to take him to visit Zhanjiang City, but he had a heart surgery last December and it's hard for him to travel. So, I came here today, carrying his wish with me."
Her grandfather, Qi Taifu, was once a cook on the former destroyer Zhanjiang before retiring. During the visit, Shi Lingchi made a special stop in the kitchen where her grandfather once worked and talked with the sailors on board about how the destroyer has changed and developed over the years.
"My grandfather served on the former destroyer Zhanjiang, but he never had the chance to see this new one. I just saw the torpedoes and the speed boats on board. The new generation of weapons and equipment are really advanced. Since I study physics, I've always been interested in alloys and hope that one day I can contribute to improving this kind of equipment, like radar systems and more," she said.
