CHINA: HMS BOXER ARRIVES IN SHANGHAI

(14 Mar 1999) English/Nat
A British naval vessel has arrived in Shanghai for the Royal Navy's first visit to China since the 1997 return of Hong Kong to Chinese rule.
H-M-S Boxer and its crew are on an goodwill mission, having already visited Vietnam and Hong Kong.
It follows a commitment by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to strengthen ties between Britain and China after his visit to the country last October.
Judging by the fog and wet weather, it could have been a home coming.
But the busy waters of the Huangpu river in Shanghai were unfamiliar territory for British battleship H-M-S Boxer.
The type-22 frigate is the first Royal Navy ship of its kind to visit mainland China since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong.
Launched in 1981, the multi-purpose battleship carries an arsenal of weapons.
Supporting a single Lynx helicopter, the ship's armoury of torpedo tubes, Seawolf missiles and Exocets give it an anti-submarine, anti-surface vessel and air defence capacity.
But on this trip, the H-M-S Boxer's intentions are anything but hostile.
The vessel and her crew of 260 men and women are on an eight-month mission to strengthen ties between Britain and China.
They have already made goodwill visits to Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
The visit to Shanghai follows a commitment made last October by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Visiting China, he called for the strengthening of ties and encouraged a programme of military and ministerial exchanges.
H-M-S Boxer will stay in Shanghai for five days.
The visit will include a series of high profile exchanges with both the Chinese People's Liberation Army and city dignitaries.
Other plans include a party for local children as well as a football match between the Boxer's crew and the Chinese Army's team.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Big privilege for us, Royal Navy ships do not visit this part of the world very often. My ship company have been therefore looking forward to arrive for some time. We are very keen to make the most of our days here alongside, to further and strengthen the join interests between our two countries and in particular our two navies."
SUPER CAPTION: Richard Ibbotson, HMS Boxer Captain
In its final two days in Shanghai, the frigate will be joined by the Royal Navy's First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce.
Sadly, it will be the last voyage for the Boxer.
After Shanghai, the frigate will sail back Britain where it will be decommissioned next August.
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[@davidgillettuk9638]

Was sending HMS Boxer a sensible idea .... thinking of the Boxer rebellion.....

[@EzraMerr]

David Gillett UK hahaha

[@frasermcmartin7059]

I was on this ship during this deployment :-) HMS Boxer's last deployment and I'll never forget it as long as I live

[@deanobradley5673]

Fraser.... I remember you mate. I was the crab fat that joined the ship in Guz and went home while in Hong Kong.

[@frasermcmartin7059]

@@deanobradley5673 holy shit!! Deano!! I remember you to bro!! I'm not on Facebook but I have a twitter account if you want to connect?

[@deanobradley5673]

@@frasermcmartin7059 ha, not on twitter bud but on FB lol typical

[@Dibley8899]

Why was that?

[@deanobradley5673]

@@Dibley8899 they sold it

[@TheGreenjacketbilly]

Stretched Type 22's were stunning looking ships....beautiful.

[@henryvagincourt]

TheGreenjacketbilly + Good sea-keeping too.

[@chaosnexxus9255]

"The Helmsman's face showed white through the wheelhouse."

[@dankmemeage4628]

And now HMS Sutherland is shadowed by 16 chinese warships 😂

[@EzraMerr]

DaNk MeMeAgE no ship travels alone.....

[@RNS681]

@@EzraMerr yeah they do

[@thehorror7135]

Served on Billy B in the early 90's

[@Mistysmudge1]

My hubby was on this ship at the time :D

[@Raptorman123]

My pal was on there for this visit Sam Thompson a stoker from Inverness

[@robertmetcalf7206]

So was I

[@Mistysmudge1]

@@robertmetcalf7206 you were Barrie’s boss at the time it’s Dawn x

[@redshift1223]

I'm on the telly mom!!!

[@donfink7063]

They should have renamed the Boxer, HMS Amethyst before the visit!

[@lockers1420]

This was my dad's ship :)

[@martinreynolds6027]

Who is your dad?

[@raditya5663]

Likely this is old video chinese navy officer look like from N.Korea with soviet style uniform

[@redshift1223]

Great deployment

[@tigerintrepid3197]

This.Vedio.is.fucking obsolete