The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is hosting an open-day event in multiple coastal cities including the eastern city of Qingdao to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding on April 23.
From April 20 to 24, the public has the opportunity to board several Navy vessels, including missile destroyers Guiyang, Shijiazhuang and Kaifeng, missile frigate Handan, supply ship Kekexilihu, and submarine rescue vessel Hongzehu at the pier 3 and the Qingdao International Sailing Center pier. Most of the vessels have been involved in major international missions such as escort mission in the Gulf of Aden, overseas port visits and joint exercises.
Visitors can also engage with navy personnel during the event.
"The public's enthusiasm for the PLA Navy and ships is beyond my imagination. People’s love for the Navy is beyond my imagination. At the same time, their support for the PLA Navy also gives us more confidence in our future development," said Che Fengsheng, a sailor of Shijiazhuang Destroyer.
The open-day event coincides with the ongoing Western Pacific Naval Symposium starting Sunday, a four-day gathering of naval officials from 29 countries, including the U.S. and Russia.
"The international society has recognized both the power and the Chinese behavior [of the Chinese Navy]. The PLA Navy has carried out international missions to shoulder the international responsibilities," said Zhang Junshe, a military expert.
The symposium will cover a wide range of topics from the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2022 and maritime order to international law and global maritime governance.
"Security is the precondition of our development, and the development is the first priority for all the countries in the region. Asia has been peaceful for many years, and this is conducive to the development of all countries in this region. So we attach great importance to peace," Zhang said.
Apart from Qingdao, similar open-day activities are also taking place at Navy barracks in other cities like Dalian, Yantai, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, Haikou and Sanya in east and south China.
Chinese Navy holds open-day event at coastal ports to mark founding anniversary
Leading traditional automakers and China's emerging new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers are developing products that are more suitable for the Chinese consumer market, with companies vying to debut their latest offerings at the ongoing auto show in Beijing.
Running from April 25 to May 4, this year's Auto China, also known as the Beijing Auto Show, serves as a testament to China's leading position in the NEV market.
With a strong focus on NEVs, Chinese carmakers are driving competition and pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can offer.
German auto giant Volkswagen just launched its new ID.UX all-electric vehicle models at the auto show.
"It is truly a reflection of our commitment to delivering electrifying new choices and exceptional digital experiences for our customers in China. In today's ICV (intelligent connected vehicles) era, consumers seek immersive, emotional experiences. Every ID.UX model, as you can see behind me, features a golden 'VW' logo, symbolizing our dedication to innovation, quality and uniqueness. We are delivering on our 'in China, for China' promise to customers at 'China speed'," said Erwin Gabardi, Volkswagen (AnHui) Automotive Company Limited.
Domestic NEV makers Xpeng and NIO unveiled new models at the auto show, which cater to a more budget-conscious market segment.
"Onvo, our new subsidiary, has a primary focus on the family market. We want to create the finest SUV for families. We are confident in the performance of our first model, the L60. With our intelligent technology and extensive charging and battery swapping network, we believe it will surpass expectations," said Li Bin, founder and CEO of NIO.
According to experts, the introduction of models that target different market segments is seen as a positive factor contributing to healthy competition in the NEV market.
"In an era of new technology development and diverse consumer needs, auto companies are placing significant emphasis on targeting specific segments to cater to the differentiated demands of consumers. This approach proves beneficial for promoting the automobile industry," said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.
Major car brands showcase new NEV models at Beijing Auto Show
