An Open Day event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy was held on Tuesday in Dalian City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, providing the public with a rare opportunity to get up-close and personal interactions with the navy vessel and service personnel.
The PLA Navy hosted a series of open day activities in multiple coastal cities to mark its 75th anniversary on Tuesday.
In Dalian, the Qiqihar -- a type 052D guided-missile destroyer -- received thousands of visitors.
Zhang Hui, who served in this fleet for 15 years, also attended the event to reminisce his military life.
"I boarded the vessel with my family and talked with the crew members. I also visited their accommodations, which are really good. I think the beds are wider than those I used to sleep in," Zhang said.
The destroyer Qiqihar was launched in 2017 at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Commissioned in 2020, it has multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, such as anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare, playing a critical role in protecting the country's blue water interests.
The PLA Navy Open Day is a time to reflect on its beginnings, and how over the past 75 years it has overcome numerous challenges to grow into a modern naval force. As a major Pacific country with more than 18,000 kilometers of coastline, China needs a capable naval force able to quickly and effectively respond to challenges and risks. Through such an event like the Open Day, visitors are able to better understand how the Navy accomplishes its missions.
"We're holding the navy vessel open-day event here in Lyushun -- a military port with a history of over 100 years. While providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about the designs and combat ability of the vessel, we have also organized an exhibition with the theme of 'Ocean, Sea Power and Navy' to illustrate the PLA Navy's strength and confidence and build the sense of pride and security among the public," said Li Chaochao, an officer onboard the destroyer Qiqihar.
"Many visitors have shown strong interests in the systems and equipment of the vessel, as well as the progress our fleet has made. We gave them detailed explanations, which enhanced the relationship between the Navy and the people," said Ding Xin, a navy soldier onboard the vessel.
Apart from interacting with naval personnel, visitors also gained insights into maritime culture and practices, such as knots and flag codes.
Along with Dalian, the simultaneous Open Day activities at PLA Navy's barracks in many other cities along China's coast will run till Wednesday.
Public interacts with navymen at Open Day event in Liaoning
