The last decade has been a major shift for the navy, from coastal defense to greater responsibilities in the deep sea. The country is increasingly concerned about the safety of its sea lanes and the threat to its claimed waters and airspace. The PLA Navy has greatly increased open-sea training exercises in the West Pacific Ocean, and has achieved many breakthroughs in upgrading its overall capabilities. CGTN correspondent Han Bin finds out how the navy is meeting the challenges.  

Sailing in the South China Sea More than 50 warships from the PLA Navy have been conducting one of its largest military drills.

The multi-program sessions include the aircraft carrier Liaoning, with warships and fighters from the North, East and South Sea Fleets. The blue-water training is now routine.

XU YING J-15 PILOT, LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER "This live-fire drill has boosted our tactics and skills."

This is a new test in combat capabilities for the Liaoning. Many say it's a higher level for the PLA Naval transformation.

REAR ADM. YIN ZHUO DIRECTOR, NAVY INFORMATION EXPERT COMMITTEE, PLA "The aircraft carrier can fundamentally change the structure of naval forces. It can form a battle group with frigates, amphibious fleets and submarines. This reveals the direction of the PLA naval development in line with maritime powers."

Training has been intensified, especially for joint operational missions. Military expert Yin Xiaoyang says unlike many other navies that focus on enhancing their multiple roles, like anti-terrorism and ballistic missile interception, the Chinese Navy focuses on winning a maritime conflict.

YIN XIAOYANG RESEARCH FELLOW, CHINA POLY DEFENSE RESEARCH CENTER "In the past five years, the PLA Navy has been on a rapid building and acquisition program. More than a dozen new classes of ships have been designed and built, and over 30 brand new warships have gone into service. The navy's priority is heading to the blue water sea and breaking the choke point of the first and second island chains. The strategy is to expand its naval capabilities to protect territorial waters and deal with security threats."

Navy pilot Li Zhe recalls his experience in fending off foreign fighter jets entering China's Air Defense Identification Zone.

"Attention! This is China Naval Aviation. You're approaching Chinese airspace. Leave now!"

LI ZHE PILOT, NAVAL AVIATION, EAST SEA FLEET "We thought the intruder fighter had gone, but it made a maneuver and came to our rear."

Li Zhe says combat readiness training enabled him to drive the intruder away.

HAN BIN "Experts say that the PLA Navy, under President Xi Jinping's direction, will step up blue water training and equipment upgrading. Its modernization process will continue to speed up, but its actual capabilities have yet to be tested."

The rapid change in naval forces is a reflection of the PLA's overall transformation - aimed at leaner and smarter armed forces, that are able to win a war.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "The military at all levels should strengthen military training and war preparedness, unswervingly place military training in a strategic position, and effectively implement military training as its central task."

The goals are ambitious and more changes are expected.

YIN XIAOYANG RESEARCH FELLOW, CHINA POLY DEFENSE RESEARCH CENTER "With the newly equipped aircraft carrier and fighting ships, the navy has been transformed into the PLA's main combat force, playing a greater role in the future. The destroyers and frigates become the most important warships. For instance, the destroyers are equipped with long-range air defense missiles in vertical launching systems, and Active Phased Digital Array Radar, for searching and targeting."

Most Chinese believe the growing number of advanced warships are a symbol of a stronger navy. And the hopes of becoming a major maritime power are setting sail. Han Bin, CGTN.