Lion dancers, a naval band and throngs of smartly dressed Chinese locals turned out to welcome two Chinese warships to Australia on Monday.

The training ship Zhenghe and the frigate Mianyang arrived at Garden Island, in Sydney's east, about 11 a.m. (local time).

The ships are in Sydney as part of an exercise aimed at strengthening defence ties between Australia and China.

There are 580 sailors, including 200 naval cadets and three Chinese admirals on board.

They are welcomed with a warm reception from about 150 smartly dressed members of Sydney's Chinese community, who waved them in with dozens of Australian and Chinese flags.

The Chinese locals also welcomed the navy with confetti, chanting and a Chinese lion dance.

When the Chinese rear admirals disembarked the Zhenghe, the mood was even more delighted, with many jostling to shake their hands.

Over the next few days the Chinese navy will visit naval bases including HMAS Watson and HMAS Penguin.

At the same time an Australian ship, HMAS Warramunga, is visiting two Chinese ports.

"This visit ... is a sign of the growing maturity in our defence relationship with China," the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore said.

"We have similar strategic views on many things ... we certainly wish to exchange ideas and thoughts and visit on a more routine basis."

Two Australian midshipmen joined the Zhenghe on her voyage from New Zealand.

The Australian Midshipman James Hill said it was the first time western naval officers had been on the ship.