PLA Navy Day: Public gets rare opportunity to interact with members of the navy

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy organized a series of nationwide open day activities on Tuesday to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding. 

Known as the Aegis, the Qiqihar – a type 052D guided-missile destroyer that is a part of the PLA Navy – welcomed thousands of visitors, offering a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with navy service men and women.

"I am very impressed by the activities at the event; this brings a connection between visitors and the fleet," said Gao Ming, a visitor from Dalian. 

Zhang Hui, an ex-serviceman who served 15 years in the fleet, told CGTN that he visited with his family to show them what it was like to be in the navy.

"I think the beds in Qiqihar are wider than those I've slept in," he said.

Qiqihar was launched in 2017 at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Commissioned in 2020, it provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, such as anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare, playing a critical role in protecting the country's blue water interests.

According to PLA's editorials, the PLA NAVY open day is a time to reflect on its beginnings and how, over the past 75 years, it has overcome numerous challenges to grow into a modern naval force. As a major Pacific country with more than 18,000 kilometers of coastline, China needs a capable naval force able to quickly and effectively respond to challenges and risks. By hosting events like the open day, visitors get to better understand how it accomplishes its missions.

"The event lasts three days here in Lvshun. While providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the vessel, we've also organized an exhibition with the theme of 'Ocean, Sea Power and Navy,'" Said Li Chaochao from the Qiqihar destroyer.

"Many visitors have shown strong interest in the systems and equipment of the vessel, as well as the progress our fleet has made," Ding Xin from the Qiqihar told CGTN.

Apart from interacting with naval personnel, visitors also got to learn about maritime culture and practices, such as knots and flag codes. Along with Dalian, the PLA Navy has organized simultaneous open days at its barracks in many other cities along the country's coast.