Flotilla makes first visit to Iranian port

A Chinese flotilla docked in an Iranian port for the first time on Saturday as both China and Iran pledged to strengthen naval ties.

The Chinese missile destroyer Changchun and missile frigate Changzhou were guided by Iran's frigate Alvand to the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, the PLA Daily reported.

The two Chinese warships are part of the 17th Chinese escort naval fleet, which just finished its mission in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.