US Navy in Shanghai

It was an odd sight, seeing the USS Blue Ridge parked in downtown Shanghai. The command ship of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet visited Shanghai for three days last week. The Passing Chinese boats plying the Huangpu River seemed perplexed by the sight of a huge warship flying an American flag. I'm not sure why the Chinese allowed this to happen but it gave me a chance to visit this ship for the second time. I attended a reception on the deck that featured guests from the Chinese navy mingling with hosts from the US Navy. What a sight.

I mentioned that this was the second time I'd been on board the Blue Ridge. First time was in Singapore when Governor Keating visited the ship when it visited that city state. That was in 1994. What struck me in 94 and again in 06 is to what extent the US Navy is involved in diplomacy and public affairs. Each time the ship calls at a port it is a highly organized affair with local dignataries and US expats included. At the reception last week I was amazed at how the Blue Ridge's crew threw a first-class diplomatic event. Among the crew's talents are a jazz band, a military band (that played the Chinese National Anthem), waiters and waitresses, first class food, and protocol specialists. The cake, which featured US and PRC flags, was the best cake I've had in years. All this talent was uniformed. These were waiters and waitresses capable of fighting a war. The Chinese Navy guests must have been impressed by the ship but by the looks on their faces I think they were most impressed by the multi-talented crew (and the food)!

Greyman got to go onboard as well. It was something he'll remember.