Three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China vessels arrived in Port Klang today for a five-day tour, from Oct 7-11.

The aim of the visit by the ships, CNS Xiang Tan, CNS Zhou Shan and CNS Chao Hu is to replenish their supplies and to rest before continuing their journey home to China after undergoing a mission at the Gulf of Aden, Somalia.

Their arrival was welcomed by Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) liaison officer, Captain Chan Peng Cheong.

RMN strategic communications officer, Commander Ismail Othman, said the visit is a defence diplomacy initiative that will strengthen bilateral cooperation between the RMN and China’s PLA Navy.

“During the tour, among the programmes arranged include a courtesy visit to navy Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Exercise, Rear Admiral Ahmad Abdullah, to exchange information and views, as well as a visit by their senior officers to the National Hydrographic Centre,” he told reporters in Port Klang.

CNS Xiang Tan and CNS Zhou Shan are frigates of the Jiangkai II class while CNS Chao Hu is of a replenishment ship of Type 903.

- Bernama