Source:Global Times Published: 2017/4/29 14:20:37
The missile destroyer Haikou (R), missile frigate Yueyang and supply ship Qiandaohu (C) are seen during the supply at sea in Pacific Ocean, during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises on June 13, 2014. File photo: Xinhua
Three Chinese navy ships will arrive in the southern Philippine city of Davao on Sunday for a three-day visit, Philippine media reported, amid warming ties between the two countries.
It will be the first visit by Chinese military ships to the Southeast Asian nation in seven years.
The ships are the missile destroyer Changchun, missile frigate Jingzhou and supply ship Chaohu, according to Philippines-based Chinese Commercial News.
The three ships conducted their first resupply mission in western Pacific waters on Friday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The visit comes amid improved ties between China and the Philippines after both decided to bring years of island disputes in the South China Sea under control.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit begins on Saturday in Manila. Philippine media have reported that President Rodrigo Duterte insisted that the 2016 Hague arbitration on South China Sea island disputes should not be a topic in this year’s summit.
The three vessels left Shanghai on April 23 for a global tour to more than 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, China’s Ministry of National Defense previously announced.
All three ships were domestically made. It is the maiden overseas voyage of the Jingzhou, commissioned in 2016. The other two ships have conducted many escort, drill and patrol missions.