China's marine patrol ship Haixun 31 arrived in Singapore on Sunday for a five-day visit, the first visit by a marine patrol ship to Singapore.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony at the cruise terminal, Captain M. Segar, director of the port division at Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore, said the visit, following a visit to Singapore by China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) Deputy Director Chen Aiping in May, "demonstrates the strong bilateral relationship between MPA Singapore and China MSA."

"The arrival of Haixun 31 affirms the solid and growing level of cooperation and understanding between MPA Singapore and China MSA," he said.

Liang Jianwei, director of Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, said the visit was part of the exchange and cooperation programs agreed upon by the maritime authorities of the two countries during Chen's visit in May.

The visit is aimed to boost mutual trust, advance friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit, and the members of the Chinese delegation hope to use the opportunity to discuss with their Singapore colleagues the challenges and experience in maritime management, he said.

"We are hoping for the two sides to enhance their communication and exchange, push forward the cooperation and improve our capability in maritime safety services and management, and the ultimate aim is to protect the marine environment and work for a better maritime future for both of us," he said.

Haixun 31 is part of the maritime law enforcement unit of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration. The ship is 112.8 meters long and 13.8 meters wide, with a water displacement of 3,000 tons and a maximum speed of 22 knots. With the capacity to carry helicopters, it is one of China's most advanced patrol ships.

The ship left Zhuhai in China's southern province of Guangdong on June 15. It will leave Singapore on June 24.

The MPA said the visit is part of existing exchanges on technical cooperation on maritime safety and marine environment protection between the maritime authorities of Singapore and China. During the visit, the staff of the authorities will be exchanging views on technical issues such as enhancing safety of navigation and port state control, and exploring further co-operation in enhancing safety of life at sea and marine environment protection. The Chinese staff will also be visiting the facilities of MPA such as the Port Operations Control Center and the Integrated Simulation Center.

The programs and activities will allow officials from both sides to interact and strengthen mutual understanding, Segar said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2011)