Dispatch from Beijing
Shipmates,
Following the PACAREA Change of Command last week we traveled to Anchorage and remained overnight for crew rest. On Saturday, we flew to Beijing. We crossed the international date line and landed at 1000 local on Sunday morning.
We were met by Deputy Director General Wu Jiansen of the Border Control Department (BCD) of the Ministry of Public Safety. He was a gracious host and led a tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Later we toured the 2008 Olympics venue. We received briefings on the design and construction of the famous Water Cube and Bird's Nest. The day ended with a dinner with our counterparts from the BCD (roast duck as you would imagine).
On Monday, we visited the U.S. Embassy and met with the Country Team. The next stop was the Ministry of Transportation where we received a briefing in the national rescue coordination center. The Rescue and Salvage Bureau followed with a briefing on their extensive capabilities including heavy salvage and submersibles.
The morning concluded with a meeting of Vice Minister Xu Zuyuan (a veteran of 13 years at sea in commercial shipping) and his staff. Between the formal meeting and lunch that followed we covered numerous topics of mutual interest including port state control, International Maritime Organization priorities (ballast water, air emissions from ships, small vessel security, AIS), access and treatment of seafarers, search and rescue coordination, and the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.
In the afternoon we met with BCD Director General Gou Tienan and engaged in more in depth discussions of border and maritime security. Issues included professional exchanges scheduled between cadets from the Public Security Marine Police Academy in Ningbo and our Coast Guard Academy, our respective concepts of operations, and disaster responses. Director General Gou and Deputy Wu led the BCD response to a devastating earthquake in western China and were anxious to exchange lessons learned.
The conversation and professional exchange continued through dinner on Monday night. All in all a very busy and productive visit to Beijing. We continue to collaborate and partner with our counterparts across the globe.
ADM A
Following the PACAREA Change of Command last week we traveled to Anchorage and remained overnight for crew rest. On Saturday, we flew to Beijing. We crossed the international date line and landed at 1000 local on Sunday morning.
We were met by Deputy Director General Wu Jiansen of the Border Control Department (BCD) of the Ministry of Public Safety. He was a gracious host and led a tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Later we toured the 2008 Olympics venue. We received briefings on the design and construction of the famous Water Cube and Bird's Nest. The day ended with a dinner with our counterparts from the BCD (roast duck as you would imagine).
On Monday, we visited the U.S. Embassy and met with the Country Team. The next stop was the Ministry of Transportation where we received a briefing in the national rescue coordination center. The Rescue and Salvage Bureau followed with a briefing on their extensive capabilities including heavy salvage and submersibles.
The morning concluded with a meeting of Vice Minister Xu Zuyuan (a veteran of 13 years at sea in commercial shipping) and his staff. Between the formal meeting and lunch that followed we covered numerous topics of mutual interest including port state control, International Maritime Organization priorities (ballast water, air emissions from ships, small vessel security, AIS), access and treatment of seafarers, search and rescue coordination, and the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.
In the afternoon we met with BCD Director General Gou Tienan and engaged in more in depth discussions of border and maritime security. Issues included professional exchanges scheduled between cadets from the Public Security Marine Police Academy in Ningbo and our Coast Guard Academy, our respective concepts of operations, and disaster responses. Director General Gou and Deputy Wu led the BCD response to a devastating earthquake in western China and were anxious to exchange lessons learned.
The conversation and professional exchange continued through dinner on Monday night. All in all a very busy and productive visit to Beijing. We continue to collaborate and partner with our counterparts across the globe.
ADM A
Posted at
10:38 PM
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