HONG KONG, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- British warship HMS Kent has been looking forward to the visit in Hong Kong and later in Chinese mainland, its Commanding officer Simon Hopper said Tuesday at a briefing onboard the warship, which called in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday.

British warship HMS Kent is anchored in the Victoria Bay in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 9, 2008. HMS Kent, one of British Royal Navy's most modern warships, called in Hong Kong on Monday for a ten-day visit, following a port visit to Tokyo. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HMS Kent, one of British Royal Navy's most modern warships, called in Hong Kong on Monday for a ten-day visit, following a port visit to Tokyo.

    Commander Simon Copper said at the briefing, HMS Kent will conduct a logistics stop and meet with the local government's Flying Service to "learn from each other's experience" in rescue at sea.

    Its 185 crew onboard the warship, for many it is the first time they have visited a Chinese city, will enjoy the excellent recreational and sightseeing opportunities and experience the unique cultural mix in this diverse and modern region, he added.

    Captain Andrew Tate, British Royal Navy's Naval and Air Attache in British Embassy in Beijing, said HMS Kent will also pay a goodwill visit to Qing Dao in Chinese mainland's Shan Dong Province after it leaves Hong Kong next Thursday, in the hope of "developing a positive bilateral relationship between Chinese PLA navy and British Royal Navy."

    HMS Kent, weighing 4,900 tonnes and 133 meters long, is British Royal Navy's 14th Type 23 "Duke Class" Frigate. The warship was launched in 1998 and accepted into service in 2000 as the first ship to join British Royal Navy in the 21st century.