The Chinese navy, which is celebrating its 68th anniversary on Sunday, has successfully escorted more than 6,300 ships since 2008.
From searching for the lost Malaysian flight MH370 to providing clean water for the Maldives capital Male, the navy has provided help for some 20 countries, and it is reported to have given much-needed medical services to more than 100,000 foreigners.
According to a Chinese policy document about military strategy released in 2015, the navy is gradually shifting focus from "offshore waters defense" to a combination strategy that includes more "open seas protection." It is part of an overhaul aimed at making the force more multi-functional.
