The Israel Navy congratulates the Chinese Navy on docking at the Haifa port. On August 13, 2012, the Chinese vessels arrived at Israel in order to celebrate 20 years of cooperation between the Israel Navy and the Chinese Navy. Photo: IDF.

Three Chinese warships arrived in Israel on Monday as members of the People’s Liberation Army Navy began a 5-day stay, to mark 20 years of diplomatic relations between China and Israel.

Rear Adm. Yang Junfei is leading the PLNA’s visit, which is being hosted by the Israeli Navy, and comes nearly 3 months after Israel’s military chief of staff, Benny Gantz, visited China on an official visit.  Following Gantz’s trip in May, Israel and China inked an agreement to enhance military cooperation, including the training of Chinese police who operate in areas populated by ethnic Tibetans and Muslim Uyghurs.

The Chinese vessels docked in Haifa’s port on Monday and PLAN personnel will tour numerous sites around Israel during their stay.