The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently showcased an impressive display of maritime strength in celebration of its 76th founding anniversary, held on April 23. The event featured more than 30 active duty warships, with particular attention given to the Type 075 landing helicopter dock amphibious assault ship named “Hainan.” This vessel is notable for displacing around 35,000 tons and measuring approximately 780 feet (237 meters) long, making it one of the largest ships in the Chinese naval fleet.
Among the array of warships presented were several significant vessels, including the Type 071 amphibious transport dock named “Yimengshan,” and the guided missile destroyers Type 052C “Xi’an” and Type 052D “Nanjing.” The lineup also included the Type 054A guided missile frigate, the Type 056A guided missile corvette “Lu’an,” as well as the Type 903A supply ship “Kekexilihu,” which weighs in at 20,000 tons. These ships have been active participants in various missions, such as operations in the Gulf of Aden, official port visits, and joint military exercises, as reported by the Global Times.
As part of the celebratory events, the navy opened several military ports and bases to the public, providing an opportunity for visitors to view various aircraft. Notable aircraft included the KJ-500H airborne early warning and control aircraft, the J-11B multi-role fighter, the Z-9D military helicopter, and the Y-9 military transport.
The open ship days and associated festivities are taking place across about ten coastal cities, ranging from Qinhuangdao in the north to Shanghai in the east and Guangzhou in the south.
In terms of naval strength, China is reported to have the largest number of naval vessels in the world, with projections suggesting that its fleet will reach 425 ships by 2030, surpassing the U.S. Navy’s anticipated count of fewer than 300 battle force ships, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Beijing has accelerated the development of military vessels through its “military-civil fusion” strategy.
In just over a decade, China has built three aircraft carriers. These include the refitted Soviet-made “Liaoning,” which entered service in 2012, and the “Shandong,” the country’s first domestically made aircraft carrier. Both carriers have engaged in drills in the South China Sea and patrolled near Taiwan. The third aircraft carrier, named “Fujian,” marks a significant advancement as it is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult launch system and has successfully completed seven sea trials since its launch in 2022.
Furthermore, newer amphibious assault ships continue to join the fleet, with “Hainan” commissioned in 2021, followed by the “Guangxi” and “Anhui” within the same year, and the recent launch of the over 40,000-ton Type 076 amphibious assault ship named “Sichuan” in December 2024. The first Type 054B guided-missile frigate, the “Luohe,” was commissioned in January 2025, illustrating the rapid advancements being made within the Chinese naval capabilities.
