Chinese naval guided-missile frigates Yangzhou (front) and Huanggang are seen in London, Britain, on Oct 3, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Navy has dispatched 26 escort task force convoys since 2008, consisting of more than 70 ships that have escorted convoys in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia. They have guaranteed the safe passage of more than 6,300 international ships.

The Chinese military also has participated in at least 24 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide as of June 2017, dispatching more than 31,000 peacekeepers. Thirteen of them lost their lives in the line of duty.

The latest visit is the fourth to the UK by the Chinese Navy since 2001. British Royal Navy vessels have made eight visits to China.

Rear Admiral Alex Burton, commander of the United Kingdom Maritime Forces, said such bilateral military exchanges reflect the lengthy, strong and close relationship between the nations.

"We have both confronted common challenges: counterpiracy, natural disasters and peacekeeping. The need to work in partnership, as we have done for so many years, to find common solutions to these challenges, is more important today," he said.