Tuesday's naval parade has attracted world attention to the PLA Navy's fast growth, especially over the past decade. Today in our special series "Red Flag, Blue Water", CGTN correspondent Han Bin visits a leading Chinese shipbuilder, for an inside look at the industry.

To see what's behind China's shipbuilding strength, we have come to Shanghai Zhenhua, one of the world's leading port machinery companies. Its chief economic manager Li Ruixiang tells us the secret of success. The cutting edge strength relies on technological breakthroughs, proprietary research, and production in marine engineering. Building a ship is an immense project. Zhenhua stresses supporting products.

LI RUIXIANG, CHIEF ECONOMIC MANAGER ZHENHUA HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPANY "We are taking the path of making a difference, focusing on engineering ships and offshore equipment. The manufacturing products are based on core research, development and supporting advantages. Shipbuilding reflects the comprehensive industry level. The design and development capabilities involve the basic industrial level of raw materials, and support capabilities including effective control of core technologies."

China has the world's largest commercial shipbuilders, like Zhenhua. They are producing increasingly sophisticated ships and vast networks of ports, shipping lines and trade links.

"China was unable to make a ship; now it's become a shipbuilding power. Indeed, the entire industry, the overall support, management control, have all been gradually improving."

The naval parade is a showcase of China's best warships. The world's second largest economy is shaping its Navy to be a key maritime power.

"Although Zhenhua has not built such warships, from the connections and features of these vessels, that the country has so many warships in service in such a short period of time, truly reflects the steady increase of the industry's overall industrial and manufacturing level."

China has the world's largest shipbuilding infrastructure, and its development enjoys top-level leadership support. Zhenhua's strength has won recognition around the world. Its Goliath crane was used for assembly of the UK's Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier.

Li Ruixiang says the design and production of marine machinery can be more sophisticated than for an aircraft carrier.  And that's where Zhenhua's strength lies.

"Zhenhua's dream is to make the best port machinery products. We want to provide more support for the country's maritime strength."

HAN BIN ZHENHUA PRODUCTION BASE, NANTONG "From refitting and import to manufacturing and export, China's shipbuilding capacity has surged. This factory is a reflection of that transformation. The shipbuilding industry is rapidly closing the gap with other powers, providing a solid foundation for the navy's leapfrog development. Han Bin, CGTN, from Nantong, in Jiangsu province."