The Chinese navy’s first sailing training ship Po Lang on Tuesday set sail for ocean-going training sessions and friendly visits to countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Setting off from a military harbor in Dalian, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Po Lang carried midshipmen and military personnel from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Dalian Naval Academy, who will undergo a series of skills training activities.
Po Lang will make a technical stop in Hong Kong, where activities such as a vessel open-day and deck reception will be held.
“This mission aims to enhance the professional competence of growing naval officer cadets, strengthen exchanges, cooperation and mutual trust with the navies of the visited countries, and contribute to the building of a maritime community of shared future,” said Ma Wenyong, a crew member of the ship.
Po Lang is a three-masted full-rigged sailing ship with a length of 86 meters, a width of 11 meters, a standard displacement of over 1,200 tons, a maximum sail range of over 2,600 square meters, and a maximum sailing speed of about 18 knots (about 33.3 km/h).
Po Lang is mainly used to cultivate the basic seamanship skills and traditional navigation skills of naval cadets. It also shoulders the tasks of carrying out military exchanges with foreign countries and promoting the unique culture of the navy.
“Po Lang is an important carrier for naval college students to understand and get close to the ocean. It focuses on exercises to enhance the students’ unwavering spirit, fearlessness of hardship, and determination to win. It is also to build team awareness among the trainees so that they can join efforts, collaborate, and proactively take their responsibilities in times of trouble,” said Wang Xiao, another crew member of the ship.
