Three Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels arrived in San Diego on Tuesday morning for a four-day visit to the Southern California city.

Sun peeked through the clouds as PLA Navy Rear Admirals Huang Xinjian and Wu Haihua walked off their vessel at the downtown B Street Pier. They were welcomed by US Rear Admirals James Bynum, Carrier Strike Group 9 commander, and Yancy Lindsey, Navy region Southwest commander.

Some 600 Chinese sailors, most of whom were setting foot on US soil for the first time, will spend the next three days with their counterparts from the USS Cape St. George. They will tour each other's ships, mingle at two receptions and compete in basketball, soccer and ping pong.

On the last day, the two navies will hold joint exercises at sea on subjects including fleet communication and search-and-rescue near San Diego.

"We hope you enjoy your visit to this beautiful city and each of you make fond memories and begin new friendships during your stay," Bynum said during a welcoming speech.

"I believe this visit will enhance the understanding and mutual trust between the frontline forces of our two navies," Huang said in his speech. "It will also lay a solid foundation for maintaining peace and stability of the region and the world as a whole."

The Chinese PLA Navy Task Group 546, composed of the guided missile frigates Yancheng and Daqing and replenishment ship Taihu set sail from Qingdao on Oct 18.

The group attended the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Maritime Security Exercise in New Zealand, where it also participated in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The ships then took off for San Diego and will visit Port of Victoria in Canada before heading back home.

The Yancheng and Daqing are open to the American public for free visits on Wednesday.

Port calls have become an important part of the bilateral military-to-military exchange. This is the third time PLA Navy ships have visited San Diego since 2014.

Lieutenant Julie Holland, Third Fleet public affairs officer, said visits between the navies of the two countries have become "more routine".

In August, the San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold made a five-day visit to Qingdao, where its 285 sailors played sports with their counterparts from The North Sea Fleet of China and toured the Tsingtao Beer Museum.

In June, a PLA Navy task force of five ships and 1,200 personnel participated in the 2016 Rim of the Pacific exercises at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 12/08/2016 page1)