Chinese navy ships make maiden stopover in South Korea
( 2002-05-08 15:12 ) (9 )

Two frigates Wednesday became the first Chinese military vessels ever to make a port call in South Korea.

The maiden stopover by the 2,393-ton ships in the western South Korean port of Incheon comes as Beijing and Seoul mark the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The four-day visit was in return for the first visit by South Korean navy ships to Shanghai last October, the South's defense ministry said.

China and South Korea, which opened diplomatic ties in 1992, mark their 10-year-old formal relationship this year.

"Let's be a messenger of peace and lay a bridge of friendship," said a statement released by the Chinese navy delegation which was welcomed by South Korean navy officials and ethnic Chinese.

The two ships, Jiasing and Lian Yun Gang, carrying missiles and helicopters, will be open to the public on Thursday and Friday.

China and South Korea, who fought the 1950-53 Korean conflict, have steadily improved relations.