Chinese warship visits Japan, first since WWII

TOKYO (AP) — A Chinese warship dropped anchor off Tokyo today for the communist nation’s first military visit to Japan since World War II, in a highly symbolic display of improving ties between the two Asian giants.

The port call by the guided missile destroyer Shenzhen was part of a mutual exchange that will bring a Japanese warship on a visit to China at a later date. It was the first visit ever to Japan by Communist China’s People’s Liberation Army.

The Chinese ship arrived under heavy security with a Japanese destroyer.

On board, a navy band played “Anchors Away,” while a cheering section of Chinese well-wishers brought by bus by the embassy waved Chinese flags.

and performed a lion dance.