Three ships from the 21st Escort Task Group of PLA Navy, the guided-missile frigates Liu Zhou, Sanya and the supply ship Qinghaihu arrived to Sri Lanka on January 17.
The ships were welcomed by the Sri Lankan Navy with a ceremony attended by the Chinese ambassador and other Chinese officials.
Secretary to the Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence attended a dinner reception organized on the occasion of the Chinese PLA Navy Task Force port-visit to Sri Lanka onboard the Liu Zhou (FFG 573) in Colombo harbour on January 18.
The event was hosted by the Commander of the 21st Escort Task Group of PLA Navy Rear Admiral Yu Manjiang. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, was also present at the event.
Making a brief speech the Defence secretary recalled the long standing cultural and religious ties between Sri Lanka and China which goes back more than 1000 years. He also highlighted the large number of training courses provided to Sri Lanka military personnel in China.
The secretary also acknowledged the investment and development assistance provided by China as one of the biggest donors to Sri Lanka over the last two decades.
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