A French light frigate arrived at Zhanjiang, a port city in south China's Guangdong Province, launching a five-day goodwill visit.

The vessel, Prairial, is led by Captain Patrick Macary, it has 91 officers and sailors on board. It is the first French warship to visit the port which was open for the first time to two US guided-missile ships in September this year.

During the stay, the crew will meet local officials and have sports contests with Chinese sailors.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2003)