China's Navy Sets Sail into Future: PLA Navy speeds up transformation to 'blue water' force

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05:39

For ten days, CGTN has been presenting a special series "Red Star, Blue Water". It covers the Chinese Navy's strategy, direction and impact, as it marks the 70th anniversary of its founding. We've had exclusive access to all three fleets, and interviewed those who have participated in the big parade. For over a month, CGTN correspondent Han Bin followed the training programs, and the fundamental change the Navy is undergoing. Here's the final report of the special series.

Sailing into the future and not a moment to lose. But the waters can be rough. Changing strategy requires a transformation. Speeding up training for carrier pilots.

YUAN MINGZHENG, PILOT HULUDAO TRAINING BASE "There can be no deviation in the direction."

Live-fire drills prepare them for real combat.

WANG SHEQIANG, COMMANDER FLEET TRAINING FORMATION "Our training is getting more practical, and officers and sailors are becoming more confident."

A new direction for the marine corps.

GONG KAIFENG, SQUADRON OFFICER JIAOLONG COMMANDOS "We should be the point of the sword in joint operations, to strike terror into the enemy."

The stealth fighter of the sea.

ZHAO HAIJUN, CAPTAIN NORTH CHINA SEA FLEET "Concealment is the life and death of a submarine. Hard training onshore, precision training offshore."

The emphasis on its own air force.

LIU PENG, FLIGHT OFFICER PLA NAVAL AVIATION "Naval Aviation is engaged in missions on the sea, on patrol, reconnaissance and escort."

The next generation is taking the plunge.

LIU FEIXUE, INSTRUCTOR PLA SUBMARINE ACADEMY, QINGDAO "Cadets need to combine what they've learned with the actual situation in the troops."

Knowing someone has their back.

ZHANG MENGFEI, CULINARY TEAM HEAD PLANS CHANGCHUN "The leaders' demands for logistic support are very high."

China's navy is building a comprehensive force, shifting from coastal defense to greater responsibilities in open waters.

ZHANG GUANGYAO, CAPTAIN PLAN LINYI, QINGDAO "Through the routine escort operations, our navy has gradually enhanced the capabilities of offshore protection and combat, far away from base."

A navy for the 21st Century and the new generation serving it.

LU XIANGFENG, CADET PLA NAVAL AVIATION UNIVERSITY, YANTAI "I know the elimination rate is very high. I believe I can go down this road."

HAN BIN PLA NAVAL AVIATION UNIVERSITY, YANTAI "Modernization requires more sophisticated equipment and higher levels of education among recruits. These have the potential to boost the navy's strength. But the long-term process means any significant improvement is years away."

It's becoming more transparent.

IMRAN KHAN, EXCHANGE OFFICER PAKISTAN NAVY "I will explain to my troop how the people of China, the PLA of China, is taking care of other friendly countries. PLA solders and officers are very cooperative, they are very hard workers. I will call China my second home."

But technology often moves faster than the ability to use it.

DING YANG, INSTRUCTOR HULUDAO TRAINING BASE, LIAONING "We are in the process of testing, accumulating, improving and upgrading."

The younger generation may be the one who understands it best, but the older generation is changing, too.

ZHAO HAIJUN, CAPTAIN NORTH CHINA SEA FLEET "We need to combine the new equipment, new strength with our personnel."

The challenge in becoming combat-ready without combat experience.

HU JIE, CAPTAIN PLANS CHANGCHUN "It's necessary to absorb the best training methods of other navies to improve our own combat capabilities."

And rapid growth requires stronger support.

WANG SHEQIANG, COMMANDER FLEET TRAINING FORMATION "In the future, we'll further strengthen the training of formations in complex situations in the context of actual combat situations."

The Navy wants more women, but society needs to catch up. Transformation doesn't happen overnight and the true real success will be measured when the overall capabilities are tested.

"I feel like I'm catching up with a great era of reform in building a strong navy."

"A soldier isn't respected for his title, it's the responsibility on his shoulders."

There's no single answer for the future.

"It's combat-oriented and more international."

"Our appearance on location is the symbol of responsibilities of the Chinese Navy. Not afraid of gunfire, not afraid of danger."

The PLA Navy, for the nation's defense, will step up blue-water training and equipment upgrades. Its modernization process will grow, as reforms enter the next phase.

"May our PLA Navy part the waves and sail into farther seas!"

Han Bin, CGTN, from the three fleets of the PLA Navy.