PLA Navy 69th Anniversary: China vows to build a world-class naval power

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02:16

Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy celebrates its 69th anniversary on Monday. The country's navy has so far been largely defensive and confined to its immediate coastal water. But after considerable growth in recent years, China has vowed to build a world-class naval power.

Ahead of the 69th anniversary of PLA Navy forces, Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw the largest naval parade in the country's history. He said the need to build a strong navy "has never been more urgent than today". The massive show involved 48 naval vessels and 76 fighter jets, including aircraft carrier Liaoning, J-15s and nuclear submarines.

China has invested greatly in the Navy's technology and equipment in recent years, to increase its power. Meanwhile in April last year, China's second aircraft carrier was launched at the Dalian shipyard. And in June, the first of the Navy's new -type 10,000 ton-class guided-missile destroyer was launched.

ZHANG JUNSHE MILITARY EXPERT "In terms of surface warships, there are 052D missile destroyers constantly entering the ranks, becoming the backbone of our surface combat forces, as well as our 054 and 056 types of guided missile frigate. Surface combat forces with multiple classes of warships have been formed."

New air-cushioned landing crafts have been deployed to improve the navy's amphibious operation capabilities. While the new supply ship, Hulun Lake, will help the Liaoning aircraft carrier sail even further. The carrier's operational radius will triple to as much as 75-hundred nautical miles.

Liaoning started service six years ago, marking the beginning of China's navy aircraft carrier era. The vessel's training field has since expanded to the West Pacific, from the East China Sea to the South China Sea.

In addition to the hardware update, the PLA navy has also intensified their drills and training. In July 2016, hundreds of vessels and dozens of planes from the Navy's three fleets gathered in the South China Sea to conduct live- fire exercises.