Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

China's self-developed missile destroyer Guiyang has greatly enhanced the country's naval capabilities since it was commissioned in 2019 thanks to its advanced weaponry and equipment, said a naval expert at the ongoing open-day event held by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

From April 20 to 24, the Chinese public has the opportunity to board several Navy vessels at the event in the eastern port city of Qingdao. Most of the vessels have been involved in major international missions such as escort missions in the Gulf of Aden south of Yemen, as well as overseas port visits and joint exercises.

Displacing nearly 7,000 tons at full load, the missile destroyer Guiyang is primarily tasked with area air defense for its formation and other maritime operations.

"The missile destroyer Guiyang is one of the latest warships of our country's 052D guided missile destroyers. Its weapons and equipment are of the highest status of the navy. The rate of its artillery firing, the number of its vertical launch systems, and the types of multipurpose missiles it is able to launch enable the ship to perform almost all the operations required in case of a naval battle. Its wire-controlled radar is capable of extensive search, which has an enormous impact on the tracking, identification, and interjection of targets," said Du Wenlong, a military expert.

In September 2020, the missile destroyer carried out a 184-day escort mission in Gulf of Aden as a part of China's 36th naval fleet.

"As the published materials show, the most important task for the missile destroyer Guiyang is its escort duty and completing drill missions along with the wider aircraft carrier formation, which are serious tests on single-vessel independent operational capability. Conducting air defense for the formation is also a basic role of the ship. It should adapt to the speed and the course of the whole formation apart from other roles it is required to play. If the ship is in different positions for air defense, anti-submarine, and anti-missile tasks, it should provide strong support for aircraft carriers, the most important part of the formation. For these reasons, with this ship, the navy's capability to perform systemic operations, including executing various individual combat missions, has risen significantly," said Du. The open-day event was held to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding on April 23, with similar events being held in multiple coastal cities across the country.

The open-day event coincides with the ongoing Western Pacific Naval Symposium starting Sunday, a four-day gathering of naval officials from 29 countries. In addition to the missile destroyer Guiyang, visitors can board the supply ship Kekexilihu and submarine rescue vessel Hongzehu.

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

Versatile naval capabilities of Chinese missile destroyer Guiyang on display to public

A French student from the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University recently called for more educational exchanges between the two countries.

During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Bouaoud Elies shared his experience living and studying in China.

After graduating from the business school at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Elies decided to stay in the country. He said he continues to study Chinese to improve his competitiveness and explore the huge trade opportunities between the two countries.

"I mean I love it here. I don't want to go back to France. I would like to become the bridge between France and China. So, if I can do this, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road, now the relations between France and China are very good. So, I think a lot of things will happen," he said.

Elies also said he hopes that more French students could visit China and develop a better understanding of the country.

France was the first major western country to establish full diplomatic ties with China, and the history of educational exchanges can be traced back more than a century and a half when China sent its students to France to study maritime affairs.

Since then, exchanges have deepened considerably.

"In China, we have established 14 French training centers. In France, we have established 19 Confucius Institutes. These institutions serve as bridges for mutual understanding and trust between the youth and people of the two countries, enhancing language and cultural connections," said Yang Dan, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges under the Ministry of Education.

French student calls for more educational exchanges with China