Open-ship event held in Shanghai to mark 77th anniversary of PLA Navy

An open-ship event was held in Shanghai on Tuesday to mark the 77th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, drawing large crowds eager to tour the two warships designated to receive visitors at the event.

On the guided-missile frigate Fuyang and the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu docked at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, naval officers and soldiers guided visitors on the tour, helping them better understand the Navy's mission and experience the new look of the Navy as it undergoes transformation and development.

Dressed with full flags, the two warships were docked just a short distance from the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.

"I'm so proud. I've always taken a keen interest in our warships. And I'm really enjoying this moment -- being able to spend time here with the warships, with Shanghai, and with the Oriental Pearl Tower," said a visitor.

Among the visitors was Duan Changzhi, a military enthusiast known online as "Sci-tech Dad." Duan has independently built model devices including an electromagnetic catapult and an aircraft turbine engine.

Together with his son, he has long been conducting family-based science and technology experiments, gaining popularity online through their video series on family lab's tech dream.

Driven by a deep passion for naval equipment and defense technology, Duan attended the event to get an up-close look at the warships.

"In 2024, when the Fujian aircraft carrier conducted its sea trials, my son became fascinated with the Navy. So we built a two-meter-long electromagnetic catapult model of an aircraft carrier, which was capable of launching a model fighter jet instantly. Just before the National Day last year, the Fujian successfully launched three types of carrier-based aircraft in a row. That inspired us to build a model aircraft engine that can actually ignite and start. Now, being aboard these modern warships, I feel truly delighted and deeply moved. I can really feel the technology strength of the military," Duan said.

Open-ship event held in Shanghai to mark 77th anniversary of PLA Navy

The 16th Beijing International Film Festival unfolded a "water red carpet" along a section of the Grand Canal in Tongzhou District, its sub-venue, on Friday night, when dazzling lights and illuminations brought the ancient waterway vividly to life.

The "water red carpet" stretched 3.3 kilometers on the canal, the world's longest and oldest man-made waterway spanning roughly 1,794 km, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Five tour boats carried guests on the water, and after that they stepped onto a 100-meter red carpet along the waterfront.

Another highlight of the evening was the official premiere and maiden voyage of Journey on the Canal, a large-scale water spectacle performance that is part of activities held by the film festival's Tongzhou sub-venue.

With real scenes of the Grand Canal as the backdrop and stage, spectators from tour boats with panoramic ceilings enjoyed the 55-minute immersive performance that presents the canal's thousand-year history along a 3.5-kilometer stretch of the river.

Designed by renowned artist Han Meilin, the production features artistic installations in combination with advanced technology, including stunning water curtain projections, laser displays and dynamic lighting effects.

Tongzhou District, located in the southeast of Beijing, serves as the sub-center of the Chinese capital. The area is developing into a modern urban hub while preserving its rich Grand Canal heritage.

The festival is running from April 16 to 25.

Beijing film festival unfolds 'water red carpet' on Grand Canal