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AAP
Lion dancers, a naval band and throngs of smartly dressed
Chinese locals turned out to welcome two Chinese warships to
Australia.
The training ship Zhenghe and the frigate Mianyang arrived from
New Zealand at Garden Island, in Sydney's east, about 11am (AEST)
on Monday.
The ships are in town as part of an exercise aimed at
strengthening defence ties between Australia and China.
On board were 580 sailors, including 200 naval cadets and three
Chinese admirals.
They received a rockstar-like reception from about 150 smartly
dressed members of Sydney's Chinese community, who waved them in
with dozens of Australian and Chinese flags.
There was also confetti, chanting and a Chinese lion dance.
When the Chinese rear admirals disembarked the Zhenghe, the mood
was even more jubilant, with many jostling to shake their
hands.
Over the next few days the sailors will visit naval bases
including HMAS Watson and HMAS Penguin.
At the same time an Australian ship, HMAS Warramunga, is
visiting two Chinese ports.
"This visit ... is a sign of the growing maturity in our defence
relationship with China," Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore said.
"We have similar strategic views on many things ... we certainly
wish to exchange ideas and thoughts and visit on a more routine
basis."
Two Australian midshipmen joined the Zhenghe on her voyage from
New Zealand.
Midshipman James Hill said it was the first time western naval
officers had been on the ship.