Naval parade to mark PLA Navy 60th anniversary starts

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-23-2009 15:18

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army navy. Activities, including a naval parade featuring China's strength in coastal defense, are underway off the coast near Qingdao. President Hu Jintao is onboard a PLA Navy destroyer for a fleet review.

A naval warship is seen during a naval parade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships and aircraft in waters off China's port city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Li Gang)

The parade started at 2:20 P-M Beijing time. On display are 25 naval vessels and 31 aircraft from China's Navy. All aircraft and submarines, as well as the majority of destroyers and frigates, come from the Qingdao-based PLA Navy North China Sea Fleet. The other ships are from the East China Sea and South China Sea Fleets.

The parade also features the first public appearance of the country's nuclear-powered submarines.

As another part of the celebrations, an international fleet review involving 21 foreign vessels from 14 countries will be held after the PLA naval parade.