Chinese Navy to send huge fleet to take part in sea parade

(chinadaily.com.cn/Xinhua)| Updated : 2019-04-22

Print Print

71.jpg

Qiu Yanpeng (middle), deputy commander of the PLA Navy, attends a press conference for the upcoming multinational naval activity to mark the 70th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy at the press center in Huanghai Hotel in Qingdao, Shandong province, April 20, 2019. About 200 journalists from home and abroad attended the press conference. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/China Daily]

Chinese Navy will send 32 warships and 39 aircraft to take part in a joint sea parade in waters near Qingdao.

Nearly 20 ships from about 10 countries will participate in the sea parade on Tuesday, deputy commander of the PLA Navy Qiu Yanpeng said.

A Singapore Navy frigate arrived on Friday in Qingdao, Shandong province, becoming the first foreign warship to arrive ahead of a grand event to honor the 70th birthday of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The PLA Navy will hold multinational naval activities in Qingdao and nearby waters from Monday to Thursday to celebrate its founding anniversary. They will include a joint sea parade, high-level symposiums, public tours of ships, military music performances and other cultural exchanges.

A press center opened on Wednesday in Qingdao for the upcoming multinational naval activity.

72.jpg

Ships from China moor at a port in Zhanjiang during the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise-2018, Oct 24, 2018. [Zhou Qiqing/Asianewsphoto]

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and latest nuclear submarines, destroyers and fighter jets will join the parade, Qiu said.

"Some vessels will make their debut for the first time," Qiu added.

Altogether 32 Chinese vessels and 39 warplanes will take part in the event, according to Qiu.

The vessels will sail in six groups, namely, those of submarines, destroyers, frigates, landing ships, auxiliary ships, and aircraft carrier.

The planes will fly in 10 echelons, showcasing aircraft for early warning, reconnaissance, anti-submarine patrol, as well as bombers, fighters, carrier-based fighters, and carrier-based helicopters, Qiu said.

1 2 >