On August 26, 2024, Colombo Port witnessed the simultaneous arrival of warships from both China and India, marking a significant event in the maritime domain. Three Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships—HE FEI, WUZHISHAN, and QILIANSHAN—docked at Colombo on a formal visit. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the vessels in line with naval traditions.
The HE FEI is a 144.5-meter-long destroyer commanded by Captain Chen Junfeng and crewed by 267 personnel. The WUZHISHAN and QILIANSHAN are both 210-meter-long Landing Platform Docks, with the former manned by 872 crew members under Captain Fei Zhang, and the latter by 334 crew members under Captain Xiong Binghon. The commanders of these Chinese ships are scheduled to meet Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Commander Western Naval Area, to discuss further collaboration.
During their stay, the Chinese crew will engage in various activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including tours of local attractions and operational briefings. The visit will conclude on August 29, with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) alongside a Sri Lanka Navy ship off the coast of Colombo.
Coinciding with the Chinese visit, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai also arrived at Colombo Port. The 163-meter-long destroyer, commanded by Captain Sandeep Kumar and manned by 410 crew members, will similarly engage in cultural and operational exchanges with the Sri Lanka Navy. INS Mumbai is also scheduled to depart on August 29, following its own PASSEX with the Sri Lanka Navy.
The simultaneous presence of these naval vessels from two of Asia’s largest powers underscores Colombo’s strategic importance and its role in regional maritime cooperation.
