?For the first time, China is hosting the bi-annual Western Pacific Naval Symposium, which brings together countries of the Pacific Rim. On the sidelines will be a joint maritime exercise.

China’s key naval base, the port of Qingdao, is wearing a festive look.

This Pakistani frigate was among the first foreign vessels to arrived. The more than 250 officers and sailors aboard got a warm welcome from the PLA Navy.

“This is the second time for my ship to take part in the exercise. We are expecting the same kind of new professionalism conduct during the exercise," said Captain Rashed Zafar Cheema, F-22, Pakistan.

“You see the armed forces of any country; they are always prepared for any kind of calamities. They all set to undertake operations without any preparations. So we are very much prepared and we have to do our best,”said Captain Rashed Zafar.

Aside from Pakistan, six other navies have sent vessels --Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Brunei and Singapore.

“We hope these exercise and interactions will build mutual trust and better understand the PLA navy," Captain Ong Chee-Wei said, he is from RSS Formidable, Singapore.

“From seaman-to-seaman perspective, it’s also important to come together and be friends and rather than just colleagues. We hope to get to understand each other a lot better, ”Captain Ong Chee-Wei said.

The exercise will feature search and rescue, as well communications and coordination.

China hopes such operations will help enhance trust between the participating navies around the Pacific Rim.

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