China warship on historic visit

A warship from China docked Wednesday at Tokyo's Harumi Pier, making the first port call in Japan by a Chinese naval vessel from the communist country — a highly symbolic display of improving ties between the two Asian giants.

The guided-missile destroyer Shenzhen from the People's Liberation Army, with about 350 crew members aboard, will stay for four days and be opened to the public for tours. It will also dock at the Maritime Self-Defense Force's headquarters in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, before returning to its home base in of Zhanjiang.

As part of a mutual exchange, a Japanese ship will visit China later.

The visit took place amid concerns in Japan over surging defense spending in China, but the commanding officer assured his Japanese hosts that Tokyo has nothing to fear from Chinese military might.

"There is no need for concern, but we must be able to protect ourselves," Rear Adm. Xiao Xinnian told reporters aboard the ship. "China does not want to be a superpower or take over the world."

The port call also comes less than a week after Beijing deeply upset Japan's closest ally, the United States, by refusing to allow the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk and its battle group entry into Hong Kong for a long-planned Thanksgiving port call. The Kitty Hawk is forward-deployed to Yokosuka.

The Chinese ship arrived under heavy security and escorted by the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ikazuchi and half a dozen helicopters buzzing in the sky. On board, a navy band played "Anchors Aweigh," the U.S. Navy theme song, while Chinese well-wishers bused in by the embassy waved Chinese flags and performed a lion dance.

Diplomatic relations between Japan and China, which are increasingly vying for economic and political clout in the region, have visibly improved in the past year.

Still, distrust between Beijing and Tokyo runs deep, particularly in military issues.

Japan is especially concerned with China's growing naval capabilities and its development of submarines that can operate farther from China's shores for longer periods.

That concern is shared by Washington, Tokyo's closest ally, which sees China's military growth as a potentially destabilizing factor in Asia.

Japan's relations with China are improving as if "spring has already arrived," Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda told Chinese media officials.

"I believe spring has already come to Japan-China relations. I want the spring to continue as long as possible. Because when summer comes, something that could ignite tempers could happen again," Fukuda was quoted as telling the Chinese group.