PLA Navy's History: Chinese Navy Museum showcases PLA's very first vessels

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China's biggest Navy Museum is located in Qingdao, Shandong Province. It draws millions of visitors each year for an exhibition of the very first naval vessels of the People's Liberation Army. These include the first nuclear powered submarine and the first self-manufactured warships. CGTN's Zheng Yibing has the details.

China's first nuclear powered submarine is now open to the public.

XIAO GUOCHANG NAVAL VETERAN "Vessels like this in the museum are not only for exhibitions but also for knowing the history."

The museum in eastern China's port city of Qingdao has three of the first vessels of the PLA, including the submarine coded the 'Long March Ten.' The other two are China's first self-manufactured guided missile destroyer the "Ji'nan" and the frigate "Yingtan," which has fought bravely in the South China Sea.

WANG YANPENG NAVAL EXPERT "These reflect the history of the PLA Navy since it was established 70 years ago. They went through a hard time, from small to big and from weak to strong."

ZHENG YIBING QINGDAO, SHANDONG PROVINCE "These very first vessels are the legacies of the PLA Navy, as it developed itself into a powerful force to defend its nation and maintain regional and world peace."

With its defensive nature, the Chinese navy is now capable of coastal defense, as well as blue-water peace-keeping missions in places as far away as Yemen. To celebrate its achievements, visitors come to the museum each year to gain an understanding of the difficulties the PLA Navy has faced and an idea about the missions it will hold in the days to come.

Zheng Yibing, CGTN, in Qingdao, Shandong Province.