China welcomes first Japanese warship since WWII

The vessel arrived Tuesday afternoon, Japanese officials told AFP, but locals were unable to see it because it docked in a military base near the city. It brought goods including 300 blankets, 2,600 pre-packaged meals and hygiene masks for victims of the devastating earthquake that struck southwest China's Sichuan province on May 12. by Staff Writers Zhanjiang, China (AFP) June 24, 2008 The first Japanese warship to visit China since World War II arrived Tuesday in a dramatic sign of improving relations between East Asia's two major powers. The 4,650-ton destroyer Sazanami, sailing from Kure in western Hiroshima prefecture and carrying earthquake relief supplies, steamed into the port city of Zhanjiang in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Local residents said the port call was a promising sign of warming ties, but... [read full story]