Four colourful and gyrating ceremonial lions lead 300 members of the Chinese community, dignitaries, bands and a ceremonial RAN guard in a noisy and enthusiastic welcome to two visiting PLA/Navy warships and their 525 officers and sailors in Sydney. The 2250-tonne FFG Yichang and her escort, the replenishment ship Taicang were just two of 11 ships from seven nations that arrived for a goodwill visit. Photo by LSPH Damian Pawlenko.

Three hundred members of the Sydney and ACT Chinese communities, four ceremonial dancing lions, drummers, the RAN's standing guard, the RAN band, senior naval officers and the Chinese Ambassador gave two visiting PLA/Navy warships a warm and noisy welcome to Sydney earlier this month.

The near new 2250-tonne FFG PLA/N ship Yichang and her 7500 tonne escorting replenishment ship Taicang were just two of 11 ships from seven nations which made a good will visit to Sydney in early October.

The pair of Chinese warships were under the command of RADM Yang Fucheng and carried more than 525 officers and sailors.

The Yichang entered Port Jackson with an escort of two NSW Police launches.

With her ship's company well turned out in its regulation black trousers and cream tunics, the sleek grey warship made an impressive sight as she headed beneath brightening skies towards FBE.

Taicang followed a kilometre astern.

As the warship neared the wharf her band struck up and her ship's company sprung to attention.

On the dock below four ceremonial lions began a welcome dance, gyrating to the beat of drums and cymbals.

Behind barriers a crowd of 300 from Sydney and Canberra's Chinese communities cheered and waved and several large red and white banners declared Welcome.

While most of the crowd carried flags, the nearby the RAN Band began its interlude while the Sydney Standing Guard was readied.

Hosting the VIP party on the wharf were the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith and the Chinese Defence Attache to Australia Senior Colonel Zhao Ning.

Among the VIPs were the Chinese Ambassador Mr Wu Tao and Mrs Wu and the Chinese Consul General, Mrs Liau Zhihong and Mrs Liau.

When the brow was secured, RADM Yang strode to the shore to be greeted by RADM Smith and the Chinese dignitaries.

He then inspected the Standing Guard before returning to the Yichang for informal talks with the VIPs and senior RAN officers.

The local community members were also invited aboard and were soon having their photographs taken with members of the ship's company.

A large number of reporters, photographers and cinecamera persons representing the Chinese media were present. Among them was a team from China Central TV who planned to have its coverage of the ships' arrival on the 7pm Beijing news bulletin that day.

Story by Graham Davis