China's first Type 054B frigate Luohe commissioned

China's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Wednesday at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

The Luohe, designated hull number "545," has a displacement of approximately 5,000 tons. This new-generation frigate, independently developed and built by China, is noted for breakthroughs in stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integration, with significantly enhanced overall performance.

With strong capabilities for comprehensive combat operations and diverse military missions, the warship will play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of naval task forces.

The launch of the Type 054B frigate was confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense during a press conference in August 2023. Wu Qian, a spokesman for the ministry, said the PLA Navy's development of key combat vessels in accordance with relevant plans is a normal arrangement to meet the needs for national security and aligns with overall naval development objectives.

This move aims to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests while contributing to global and regional peace and stability, Wu said, adding that China has always been committed to the path of peaceful development and adhered to the defensive national defense policy.

To mark Chinese Sturgeon Protection Day, around 550,000 Chinese sturgeons were released into Jingzhou and Yichang sections of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province, as well as in Shanghai, on Saturday.

Nicknamed "aquatic pandas," Chinese sturgeons have existed for over 140 million years. However, the natural population of the species in the Yangtze plummeted in the late 20th century due to intrusive human activities.

The fish is primarily protected through artificial breeding followed by release into the natural environment. In recent years, China has made significant conservation efforts, including expanding artificial breeding and release and fostering natural breeding of the species.

The annual releases of captive-bred Chinese sturgeons have exceeded 1 million for two consecutive years since 2024, effectively replenishing wild populations of the endangered species.