In August 2017, a Chinese naval formation consisting of the destroyer Changchun, guided-missile frigate Jingzhou and supply vessel Chaohu conducted a live-fire drill in the waters of the western Indian Ocean.
In June, the PLA Navy task force (Changchun, Jingzhou, Chaohu) arrived in Colombo, initially for a goodwill visit but pivoted to provide disaster relief following severe flooding.
The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark arrived in Colombo on August 6, for a four-day visit to provide medical services and conduct exchanges, marking its first visit to the country.
