As China puts its naval might on display, Hu renews peace pledge
China held its first multinational naval parade yesterday to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy, with some of its advanced warships on public display for the first time.
President Hu Jintao , accompanied by top leaders from the supreme command and foreign dignitaries from 29 countries, inspected vessels picked from China's three naval fleets and warships sent by 14 countries. The one-hour parade was held in waters 20 nautical miles east of Qingdao in Shandong province .
Despite earlier speculation, China did not send its most advanced warships, such as Jin-class nuclear submarines. Instead, two nuclear-powered submarines that have been in service for decades made their public debuts. Also on display were guided missile destroyers, diesel-electric submarines and various support vessels.
Mr Hu took the opportunity to again pledge to the world that China would stick to its 'defensive' national policy and would never seek military hegemony. '[The People's Liberation Army forces] should unremittingly work towards the goal of building a harmonious ocean.'
A fleet of 25 Chinese naval vessels and 31 aircraft were the first to be inspected as the ceremony began at 2.20pm. The fleet sailed past the missile destroyer Shijiazhuang, with Mr Hu and other dignitaries on board.
Leading the fleet were four submarines - including two nuclear-powered ones from the Xia and Han class - that were commissioned in the 1980s. They were followed by five guided missile destroyers, six frigates, a landing vessel, eight fast-attack craft and aircraft formations.
Military observers said the choice was interesting - by displaying old-generation submarines, Beijing wanted to send out the message that it would continue pursuing a modest defence strategy. Had Beijing fielded the more advanced model, it would mean it was ready to go from being a regional to a global military power.
The event gained much attention both at home and abroad. But the public was mostly restricted to live online text reports. A source said China Central Television, the national network, was not allowed to broadcast the parade live because the PLA decided it was too sensitive. CCTV later aired footage on its 7pm main newscast.
Despite this, some observers still believed it had helped raise military transparency. Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, a Taipei-based military expert, said: 'I think the parade has enhanced the PLA Navy's transparency and improved its international image to some extent.'
