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Chinese warships arrive in Portsmouth

Three Chinese Naval ships have arrived in Portsmouth for a formal visit aimed at enhancing military understanding between the UK and China.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and hundreds of UK-based Chinese residents are due to officially welcome the ships into the city’s Naval Base tomorrow.

They arrived into port this morning.

Replenishment ship Chaohu Credit: Royal Navy

Heading the task group is the assault ship Chang Bai Shan, accompanied by the frigate Yun Cheng and the replenishment ship Chaohu.

Chang Bai Shan was due to fire a 21-gun salute as she approached the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, with a response fired from Fort Blockhouse, Gosport.

The ships’ last port of call was Salalah in Oman and on leaving Portsmouth they will head for Kiel in Germany.

During the five-day visit, senior officers from both Navies will discuss various maritime topics including recent counter-piracy operations across the Indian Ocean.

"We are looking forward to welcoming our Chinese visitors to the operational home of the Royal Navy. As with our ship visits abroad, these events are not only of great diplomatic significance, but also very useful militarily given that we share similar global challenges including counter-piracy, preventing conflict, protecting our citizens overseas and supporting UN peacekeeping efforts."

– Commodore Jeremy Rigby, Naval Base Commander

Crew members from all three vessels will be given tours of local attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose and they'll also be shown around the Royal Navy's newest warship - Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan.

The two nations will also compete in badminton and basketball matches at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth – the Navy's home of physical training.

The ships leave Portsmouth on January 16.