COLOMBO, Jan. 17 -- The 21st Chinese naval escort taskforce, comprising the guided-missile frigates Liuzhou, Sanya and the comprehensive supply ship Qinghaihu, arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit.

The Sri Lankan Navy held a welcoming ceremony for the visiting Chinese naval taskforce, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang and over a hundred Chinese officials and merchants.

After the ceremony, the three Chinese naval ships were open to the public visit.

The 21st Chinese naval escort taskforce departed from the Gulf of Aden on Jan. 3, after completing its four- month merchant ships escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali coast.

Colombo is the second leg of the Asia visit of the taskforce, following Karachi, Pakistan.