Three Chinese Navy ships are visiting Victoria for the next few days.
The ships from China's People's Liberation Army arrived Tuesday and are currently anchored outside Esquimalt Harbour. On Thursday, the ships will come alongside Ogden Point for an official welcome ceremony and one of the Chinese ships will be open to the public for tours during the following times:
•Thursday from 12:30 to 4pm,
•Friday from 10am to 4pm.
•Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Two of the ships, the Yancheng and Daqing, are Type 054A Guided Missile Frigates. The other is a Type 903 Replenishment Ship the Taihu.
The Canadian Armed Forces says foreign navy vessels regularly come to Canada to help strengthen co-operation, goodwill and trust.
In a statement, the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific Rear-Admiral Art McDonald said "I am pleased to welcome the sailors of the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) Ships Yancheng, Daqing, and Taihu to Victoria, home of Canada’s Pacific Naval Fleet. As Pacific countries, our navies have a shared interest in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region. I look forward to engaging with the senior leadership and sailors over the next few days as they enjoy Victoria’s friendly hospitality.”
The last time Chinese naval ships visited Victoria was 2006.