Chinese warships visit Cambodia

Two Chinese guided-missile frigates docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Monday for a five-day goodwill visit to Cambodia.

Liuzhou and Sanya, the 21st Chinese naval escort task force, were led by Rear Admiral Yu Manjiang, commander of China's naval unit in the region, and political commissar Senior Colonel He Qingfeng,

The two warships were warmly welcomed by Cambodian navy officials and Chinese embassy officials as well as Chinese company and community representatives in Cambodia upon their arrivals at the port.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony, Yu said it was the third time that Chinese naval ships visited Cambodia, but it was the first time that the Chinese warships made a port call in Cambodia.

He recalled that the Zhenghe training ship visited Cambodia in 2008 and the Peace Ark hospital ship in 2013.

"China and Cambodia are good partners and friends. Through this visit, it will further increase mutual trust and friendly relations between our two countries and also contribute to enhancing cooperation between the navies of the two countries," he said.

During the visit in Cambodia, the Chinese naval delegation will hold talks with Cambodian navy and defense leaders as well as senior government officials in order to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as regional situation.

Chinese and Cambodian naval personnel will conduct a rescue exercise and organize a friendly football match during the stay. Moreover, Chinese sailors will visit Cambodian communities in order to know about the Cambodian culture and people's daily lives.

The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is located in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province, which is the kingdom's largest coastal zone. The province was named after late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk. Endit