A Chinese naval flotilla berthed in Iran’s Southern port of Bandar Abbas on Thursday, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The flotilla, consisting of Chang Chung destroyer, Chao Hu logistic warship, Jin Zhouu combat warship and a helicopter, berthed in the Iranian port with the aim of consolidation of friendly ties between the two countries and increasing naval interactions.

The Chinese naval forces will stay in Iran for four days to meet the Iranian officials and stage joint drills with the Iranian Navy.

A high-ranking naval delegation from China visited Iran for talks in October 2015.

A Chinese Navy flotilla arrived in the Southern Iranian coast three years ago.

Subsequently, Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari visited China’s Eastern port city of Qingdao with a high-ranking team in attendance and held talks with Chinese military officials.

The Iranian Navy dispatched a naval group to China back in 2012, setting a new precedence in the countries’ bilateral naval cooperation.

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Pang Sen underlined anti-terrorism cooperation with Iran, adding that the two countries have strengthened their military cooperation and exchanges.

“The military exchanges between China and Iran are increasing day by day,” Pang told reporters in a press conference in Tehran.

Stressing that Tehran and Beijing permanently hold talks and consultations on the fight against terrorism, he said, “China opposes any type of terrorism and is willing to bolster its cooperation with Iran and other countries (in anti-terrorism campaign) to jointly maintain regional and global peace and stability.”