Chinese navy shows off new warship in 70th anniversary parade
China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its navy on 23 April by showing off its growing fleet in a sea parade featuring a brand new guided-missile destroyer.
Under grey, foggy skies, Chinese President Xi Jinping stood on a warship to take the salute from 32 Chinese vessels, including submarines, and 39 planes off the eastern city of Qingdao. China also took the occasion to unveil the Nanchang, a 10,000-ton class guided-missile destroyer.
Ships from 13 other countries including Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and India also took part in the parade.
Vietnam and other countries in the region frequently complain about China's activities in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations.
Xi told foreign delegations attending the naval event that China would ‘unswervingly stay on the path of peaceful development,’ according to the official Xinhua news agency. All countries should promote ‘proper’ solutions to maritime disputes, Xi said.
Absent from the celebrations was the US Navy, which had said it would not participate. During similar celebrations a decade ago, the US sent missile destroyer the USS Fitzgerald, which joined an international fleet review.
China is racing to modernise its People's Liberation Army, with Xi calling for the country to have a ‘world-class’ military by mid-century. Its sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a repurposed Soviet ship bought from Ukraine which went into service in 2012.
Another domestically-made carrier is still undergoing sea tests to add more firepower to the naval fleet.
More from Naval Warfare
-
RTX Raytheon advances with the development of new Barracuda mine neutraliser
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
-
US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.