Zheng Zhisong, an official in the universities and colleges department of the navy headquarters, said the competitions would beef up naval students' fighting sprits and improve the navy's capacity, especially in international exchanges.

"The competitions are designed to foster naval students' spirit of endurance, courage and teamwork, deepening the navy's military professional quality and capacity training," said Zheng.

Different from other triathlons, the event is intended to establish a characteristic brand built on naval military skill and technique competition.

"It will also help to increase students' international communication skills and enhance the Chinese navy's global influence," Zheng added.

Zheng said the Chinese navy has become an open force, with more international exchanges and cooperation in recent years.

By the end of June this year, the Chinese navy had sent 24 warships to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to protect 3,960 ships from rampant piracy, statistics from the navy headquarters show.

Meanwhile, the Chinese navy had received 154 visiting warships from 41 foreign countries and sent 38 groups of warships to visit 53 countries.

Zheng said naval students are the future of the Chinese navy, and they will go abroad for visits or training not only after graduation but also during their university period, and a solid command of naval English and high international quality will be required.

For instance, more than 100 naval students from the Dalian Naval Academy, the first PLA Navy's institute of higher learning, are visiting Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the training ship Zhenghe.

They are supposed to complete offshore teaching and training tasks and communication activities with local navy servicemen and naval students.

All three academies and the Naval Submarine College in Qingdao have been equipped with swimming pools, sampans, sailboats and supporting facilities to ensure students' training.

Swimming classes are scheduled every week, and sailing classes are usually held during weekends and summer vacations.

The Second Naval Military Triathlon was also part of the ongoing 21st Qingdao International Marine Festival.

Qingdao hosted the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regetta and is known as the Sailing City of China.

(China Daily 08/08/2011 page5)

By Xie Chuanjiao and Hu Qing (China Daily)

Edited by Chen Zhilin