U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler salutes Chinese Sailors while embarked aboard a training vessel in Port Lushun, China, in March. Fowler and a team from the U.S. Naval Academy visited China to explore possible training programs for U.S. Midshipmen and faculty. Courtesy photo.

The Naval Academy delegation arrived in Beijing for a day of briefings at the American Embassy, followed by two days of meetings and tours in Dalian.

Over the course of the trip to Dalian, Fowler received extensive briefings, tours of the facilities, laboratories and the library, and opportunities to interact with the Chinese midshipmen. Additionally, he sat in an academic classes where there was a dynamic question and answer period with the midshipmen.

During the first day, Fowler was the guest of honor at a viewing of their distinguished ‘‘Grand Formation,” a formal parade where 1,350 members of the 2,000-member brigade march as an ‘‘elite” group while singing five national and military songs. During the march, the Chinese midshipmen varied the shape and composition of their formation in an impressively choreographed manner. This is the only military group within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that has been invited to all Chinese national parades since 1949.

One of the highlights of the second day included a visit to Port Lushun, a military base where the Naval Academy delegation toured two of Dalian’s training ships.

Dalian is one of three naval academies for the PLA Navy (PLA(N)), and its primary purpose is to produce officers for the Chinese surface warfare community. PLA(N) has graduated more than 180 Chinese flag officers, and 80% of the current commanding officers of Chinese surface vessels. Over 40,000 political and military leaders have graduated from PLA(N) since its establishment in 1949.

Dalian offers a four-year undergraduate program with opportunities for follow-on graduate studies. The graduates have a 12-year military obligation. Its midshipmen follow a regimented academic and physical activity schedule beginning at 6 a.m. each day.

The main purpose of the Naval Academy delegation’s visit was to identify potential opportunities for U.S. Midshipmen and Academy faculty members. Throughout the visit, the leadership of each Academy emphasized the importance of developing an appreciation and understanding of each other’s navies during the formative years of officer training and education. These opportunities will complement current Naval Academy Midshipman programs in China, including two Language Studies Department summer programs designed to further develop language skills, as well as semester abroad opportunities for six Naval Academy Midshipmen at a civilian Chinese university.

The recent Naval Academy visit to China, coupled with the Academy’s language immersion and study abroad programs, directly support the Chief of Naval Operation’s vision for the 21st century by fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships with international partners. The trip to the Dalian Naval Academy was a reciprocal visit for the team, as the U.S. Naval Academy hosted a Chinese delegation for a two-day visit last August.