The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship "Yancheng" arrived at Limassol Port of Cyprus on 4 January 2014, to join the international escort mission for the disposal of Syrian chemical weapons.

H.E. Ambassador Liu Xinsheng, Mr. Fei Shengchao, Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and other diplomats, Major General Liu Chao, Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and overseas Chinese nationals in Cyprus lined up at the port to welcome the arrival of "Yancheng".

H.E. Mr. Fotis Fotiou, Minister of Defence of Cyprus and Captain Kyriakos Pochanis, Commander of the Navy Command of Cyprus  attended the welcoming ceremony.

H.E. Ambassador Liu Xinsheng and H.E. Mr. Fotis Fotiou visited "Yancheng" accompanied by Senior Captain Li Pengcheng, Deputy Chief of Staff of the North Sea Fleet of PLAN.

H.E. Mr. Fotis Fotiou highly appreciated the importance of Chinese participation. It shows the responsibilities that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has taken to maintain peace and stability around the world.