Two Chinese navy ships have began the first visit to the south Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.

The training vessel, Zhenghe, and the frigate, Mian Yang, with hundreds of sailors on board arrived in Vanuatu capital of Port Vila on Thursday for a four-day goodwill visit.

During the visit, the training vessel will be open to the public.

Chinese Navy Rear Admiral Leng Zhenqing said they have brought greetings from the government and people of China to Vanuatu.

In a meeting with Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei on Thursday, Leng said the visit is aimed at enhancing friendship and strengthening military cooperation between China and Vanuatu.

Natapei said Vanuatu and China shared identical or similar views on international and regional issues, and have conducted smooth cooperation since they established diplomatic ties in 1982.

Chinese Navy ships' visit was invited by Natapei to mark Vanuatu's 30th anniversary of independence, Vanuatu's Acting Internal Affairs Minister Joe Natuman said.

Vanuatu is the second stop of the Chinese Navy ships' port call which has brought them to Papua New Guinea and will take them to Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.