2010-09-11 17:26

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Two Chinese Navy ships arrived here in New Zealand's largest city Saturday on a four-day visit to the South Pacific country.

It is the fourth visit by Chinese Navy ships since China and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1972.

At about 10 am local time (2200 GMT Friday), the training vessel, Zhenghe, and the frigate, Mian Yang, slowly entered Queen's Wharf under the guidance of a New Zealand Navy ship, Wellington.

The Chinese Navy fleet was warmly received by Royal New Zealand Navy Maritime Component Commander Ross Smith, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Xu Jianguo, and a huge crowd of overseas Chinese.

After the welcoming ceremony, Commander Smith and Ambassador Xu stepped onto the Zhenghe training vessel and held a short meeting with Chinese Navy Rear Admiral Leng Zhenqing, who serves as the commander of the visiting formation.

Rear Admiral Leng then headed toward Devonport Navy Base on Auckland's North Shore, the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy, to meet senior New Zealand military officials.

Smith told Xinhua he was very glad to see Chinese Navy ships visit New Zealand and he expected the Royal New Zealand Navy could conduct joint training with the Chinese Navy.

Leng said the visit was part of efforts to construct a harmonious world and a harmonious ocean and was also conducive to improving the level of military cooperation between the two countries.

During the stay in New Zealand, visiting Chinese Navy soldiers will visit an old people's home and give a joint musical performance with a troupe from the Royal New Zealand Navy. The two ships will also be open for public tours on Sunday.

New Zealand is the fourth stop on the Chinese Navy ships' itinerary, which has included calls on Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tonga, and will take them to Australia.