A Chinese sailor takes a selfie with his counterpart from the Philippine Navy after a basketball game in Davao city, southern Philippines, May 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

"Goodwill games" of basketball and tugs-of-war were being staged between the Chinese sailors and their Filipino counterparts in Davao city, the Philippine Navy said in a statement.

This is the first visit of People's Liberation Army Navy ships since 2010, signaling greater mutual trust and reduced tensions in the South China Sea, officials and experts said.

The three vessels - the Changchun, the guided missile frigate Jingzhou and the supply ship Chaohu - fall under the command of Rear Admiral Shen Hao, the PLA Navy deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, who led the flotilla.

The visit will strengthen the relationship between the Chinese and Philippine navies and contribute to the development of traditional friendship and ties between the two countries, said Admiral Miao Hua, the political commissar of the PLA Navy, who spoke on Sunday at the welcome ceremony. He led another Chinese delegation to the Philippines for a visit.

Sara Duterte, mayor of Davao city and the president's daughter, said on Sunday she hoped the visit would promote exchanges on maritime issues and cooperation between the two countries.