Ministry of Defence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

26/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 27/08/2024 05:47

A trio of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warships arrive in Colombo

Three Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warships; "HE FEI", "WUZHISHAN" and "QILIANSHAN" arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (26th August 2024). The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.

The "HE FEI" is a 144.50-meter-long destroyer, crewed by 267 personnel under the command of Captain Chen Junfeng. The "WUZHISHAN" is a 210-meter-long Landing Platform Dock, manned by 872 crew members and commanded by Captain Fei Zhang. Similarly, the "QILIANSHAN" is a 210-meter-long Landing Platform Dock, with 334 crew members under the command of Captain Xiong Binghon.

Commanding Officers of the trio of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warships are scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters today. To strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies, crew members of these ships are set to participate in a series of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.

In addition crew members of the ships will explore some of the tourist attractions of the country, during their stay in Colombo. Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel will have the opportunity to participate in briefings on the operational functions of the ships as well.

Concluding the formal visit, the trio of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warships will depart the island on 29th August, after a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lanka Navy ship off the coast of Colombo.