A flotilla of three ships of the China PLA Navy dropped anchor at U.S. Naval Base San Diego, to start a five-day goodwill visit after China debuted in the world's largest naval exercises. 

The visit marked the first time Chinese ships docked at San Diego for nearly a decade. In 2006, two Chinese naval ships visited the base and took part in a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) during a three-day visit.

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Task Group 171, composed of the missile destroyer Haikou, missile frigate Yueyang and supply ship Qiandaohu, also comes visiting with more than 700 officers and sailors just out from the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 exercises near Hawaii.

In a welcome ceremony at the San Diego base, also a major training center for U.S. naval recruits, Chinese fleet Commander Rear Adm. Shen Jinlong said, "China's participation in the RIMPAC with four naval ships represents an important measure to push forward the new type navy-to-navy relations characterized by harmony, progress and pragmatic cooperation and it will have a very positive effect on advancing the relationships between our navies." 

There was no word about the Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark which was part of the Chinese contigent to RIMPAC 2014. 

Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Navy, Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge, Commander of U.S. Navy Region Southwest, said, "Military to military engagements, like RIMPAC and this port visit are very important to the relationship between our navies. They help us build trust and enhance transparency.

The ceremony, arranged in part by the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., also featured a Chinese cultural performance by members of the Chinese-American community in San Diego. 

Admiral Shen said their contingent will conduct extensive and in-depth exchanges during their visit to the U.S. naval base. The Chinese sailors will be allowed some time for R-and-R in the city. 

The flotilla commander opened the three naval ships to public tours as soon as it dropped anchor Sunday, as Chinese lion dancers and drummers continued their performance on the pier.

RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational maritime military drill conducted every two years. This year marked the first time China took part. A total of 22 nations participated in the drill from June 26 to Aug. 1.