China puts a damper on navy’s 70th anniversary celebrations as it tries to allay fears over rising strength
- Poor weather compounds low-key feel to event as Chinese military seeks to address concerns about its growing strength
- Centrepiece of event was appearance of new Type 055 destroyer which has been named the Nanchang
A 32-strong Chinese fleet led by Asia’s largest destroyer, the Type 055, joined with 18 foreign warships from 13 countries on Tuesday for a naval parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the PLA navy.
The naval parade was held off the coast of Qingdao in eastern Shandong province in heavy mist and strong wind, and was described by military experts as a carefully designed and low profile event intended to alleviate scepticism over China’s growing maritime power.
In contrast, last year’s celebrations in the South China Sea featured a larger fleet – of 48 Chinese warships – the biggest show of strength in the country’s history.
A military insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the US had snubbed this year’s event amid concerns about China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, while other Asian countries were worried about Beijing’s ambitions to build the second most powerful navy in the world – all of which meant it “was inappropriate for China to play up its birthday party”.
President Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the all-powerful Central Military Commission, watched over the event from the Xining, a Type 52D guided-missile destroyer and ordered naval commander Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong to start the fleet review at 2.30pm.
