A helicopter and a submarine from a submarine division of the PLA Navy's South Sea Fleet participate in an exercise. ZHOU YANCHENG/FOR CHINA DAILY

More than 60 countries will send delegations to join multinational naval events marking the anniversary, and over 30 countries of them will send major navy leaders to participate, according to Qiu.

Nearly 20 foreign vessels of various capabilities, including destroyers, frigates and landing ships, will join Chinese vessels in the naval parade, showing to the world the "firm determination to safeguard peace and seek development with joint efforts," Qiu said.

Organizing multinational naval parades is a unique ceremonial activity of navies, according to Qiu.

April 23 marks the 70th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy.

A PLA Navy carrier battle group sails in formation. MO XIAOLIANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy has been active in providing security products for the international community since its founding, Qiu said.

The navy has paid over 100 visits to 94 countries and 138 ports, and has held more than 60 joint military drills with foreign navies over the 70 years, according to Qiu.

Since 2008, the navy has sent 32 escort fleets, 103 vessels, 69 helicopters and more than 27,000 officers and soldiers to escort over 6,600 vessels, more than a half of which were foreign merchant ships, he added.

Since 2010, the naval hospital ship Peace Ark has traveled to 43 countries and regions and provided free medical services to over 230,000 people, Qiu said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.