Qiu Yanpeng (R), commander of the fourth Chinese Navy Escort Task Group, presents a souvenir to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy Rear Admiral Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan at a welcoming ceremony in honour of the Chinese Navy Escort Task Group in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, March 24, 2010. [Xinhua]

Two Chinese naval warships Wednesday arrived in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), kicking off the first-ever visit to the Gulf nation and the region.

The vessels, Frigate Maanshan and Comprehensive Supply Ship Qiandaohu, are part of the fourth Chinese Navy Escort Task Group, which just completed the escort mission in the Gulf of Aden aimed at protecting commercial ships in pirates-harassed Somali waters.

Addressing a welcoming ceremony, Qiu Yanpeng, commander of the task group, said the visit held particular importance in the history of interaction between the two countries and armed forces.

"Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, our bilateral ties have grown steadily and both sides favored each other with valuable support and cooperation on international and regional affairs," he said.

Qiu, who is also deputy chief of the Chinese Navy's East Sea Fleet, voiced heartfelt appreciation for the UAE navy's invitation, saying friendly exchanges between the two navies are an important component of bilateral relations.

"The aim of the first-ever visit to the UAE by the Chinese Navy warships today is to further promote the friendly relations between the navies of China and the UAE," he said.

"We come for peace and friendship, for deeper mutual understanding, and for expanded mutual exchange," Qiu added.

He noted that the friendly cooperation between the two navies is not only in the interest of the two peoples, but also conducive to world peace and stability.

UAE Navy Rear Admiral Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan expressed warm welcome for the Chinese warships, saying the visit is of great historical significance.

Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Gao Yusheng, Chinese Consul-General to Dubai Gao Youzhen and some 400 overseas Chinese in the UAE attended the welcoming ceremony.

The two warships will leave Abu Dhabi and continue their homeward journey next Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2010)