PLA Navy Anniversary: Qingdao schoolchildren embrace Chinese naval culture
Updated 13:30, 23-Apr-2019
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02:09
People living in Qingdao feel more connection to the navy, as they are able to observe navy ships from out at sea. Naval culture even influences primary school students. Our reporter Wu Guoxiu has more.  
A navy ship he made on his own. Most of 11-year-old Ma Mingqian's toys are related to the navy. And he sounds like an expert when introducing them.
MA MINGQIAN QINGDAO CITIZEN "This is a missile destroyer named after my hometown Qingdao. I particularly like the HHQ 7 air defense missile system. But it can't work well without the help of a big surveillance radar."
Ma studies in sixth grade in a primary school, which is just downstairs from his home. He says the school has helped him know more about the navy and the sea.
MA MINGQIAN QINGDAO CITIZEN "We have a maritime lesson every week. It teaches about the navy's equipment, the maritime biological crisis, the co-existence of coral reef and fish, as well as under-sea cables."
His father Ma Yutao has been helping him develop his interest. They would never miss an occasion to board a real navy ship.
MA YUTAO QINGDAO CITIZEN "The navy ships will dock here at the Olympic Sailing Center sometimes during their public open day. In 2016, I took my son on a frigate ship 112."
Qingdao hosts the headquarters of China's North China Sea Fleet. It's not difficult to find local people keeping naval models at home, as they look forward to the big occasion on Tuesday.
LI ZHONGKAI QINGDAO CITIZEN "I've applied to attend the public events while the navy is celebrating its 70th anniversary. I hope I can board some foreign ships."
WU GUOXIU QINGDAO "There's a lot of curiosity here as people await the arrival of the foreign fleets, but they can see them up close and personal when the ships open for public visits after the review. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, QINGDAO."