A US Coast Guard ship and its 190 crew have arrived in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on a historic visit to improve international co-operation in maritime law enforcement.

At the invitation of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the Honolulu-based US Coast Guard Cutter Rush arrived on Sunday and will stay until Thursday.

The US Coast Guard said on Sunday in a statement that the 378-foot Rush is "the first major cutter to visit China since World War II."

During the historic port call, Rush will engage in professional law enforcement exchanges with the Border Control Department of the MPS, according to a statement released yesterday on the ministry's website.

A forum on Sino-US co-operation in maritime law enforcement will also be held during the port call to foster mutual co-operation to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration, and to enforce marine security and fisheries rules, according to the statement.

Captain Dana Ware, the cutter's commanding officer, said he was "looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Chinese maritime safety and security professionals on issues of mutual importance."

A smaller cutter Sequoia visited Shanghai last month, the first time that a US Coast Guard ship has visited China.

"The frequent visits by US cutters show a more intensive co-operation in law enforcement between the two countries, especially in combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking" said Xiang Dang, a professor on international police affairs at Chinese People's Public Security University.

He said co-operation was becoming increasingly productive.

"Although differences in judiciary systems and law enforcement practices still exist between the two countries, co-operation has seen a great improvement because of common interests."

To enhance mutual understanding, a basketball match will also be held between the US crew and local maritime police officers during Rush's stay in Qingdao.