Singapore's formidable-class missile frigate Stalwart, has sailed into Qingdao Port for next week's international fleet review. The Stalwart is the first of the visiting naval warships to arrive. China is holding a series of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. CGTN correspondent Han Bin is in Qingdao and filed this report.

The Port of Qingdao, home of the PLA North Sea Fleet. There's a festive atmosphere, amid preparations for the Navy's 70th birthday. It's the first visit here for Singapore navy frigate Stalwart. This formidable-class frigate was in China last year during the China-ASEAN maritime exercise off the coast of Zhanjiang city, in southern China's Guangdong province. This visit has a special mission— the international fleet review. It's a tradition and common practice for naval exchanges. A brief ceremony was held to welcome the Stalwart and its crew. It's an opportunity for the Chinese navy to extend this courtesy to its counterpart.

LIEUTENANT COL. AARON LI JUN HONG, CAPTAIN RSS STALWART, SINGAPORE NAVY "The journey is good, it's my first time to Qingdao, I'm happy to be here. Looking forward to the fleet review."

ZHANG JUNSHE, SENIOR RESEARCHER PLAN RESEARCH ACADEMY "By hosting such an International fleet review, I think China wants to give a signal to the world that the Chinese navy and the country also be friendly to the whole world, and we will do our best to cooperate with other navies to maintain peace and stability in the world and the region."

HAN BIN QINGDAO "It's the second time in ten years that China holds an international fleet review. The PLA navy has been undergoing a deep transformation with rapid growth. China hopes the event can improve understanding among the navies. And the real significance may go far beyond a fleet review. Han Bin, CGTN, Qingdao."