On April 23 this year, the People's Navy celebrated its 75th birthday. The transformation from a junior navy consisting of only a few small ships to a world-class navy that now stands at the top of Asia, second only to the United States, is not only spectacular, but also a magnificent historical witness.
After 75 years of trials and hardships, today's People's Navy, with its huge fleet and strong combat effectiveness, has become the undisputed maritime power in the western Pacific region.
In 1949, the People's Navy was established in Baima Temple, Taizhou, Jiangsu, and the conditions of the Navy at that time were very difficult. Initially, the main force of the navy was only a few small ships that had revolted from the Kuomintang navy, and the first commander, Senior General Xiao Jinguang, even needed to take a fishing boat to visit the island.
As you can imagine, such conditions were almost insignificant in the international naval arena at that time. It is this humble starting point that unfolds a grand blueprint.
In the 21 st century, especially in recent decades, the development of the People's Navy can be described as advancing by leaps and bounds. By February 2024, according to the data released by Hong Kong's Ta Kung Wen Hui website, the tonnage of combat ships of the People's Navy has reached 1.45 million tons, and the total tonnage is as high as 2.9 million tons, ranking first in Asia and second in the world.
The expansion and upgrading of the fleet, especially with regard to aircraft carriers and destroyers, is very noticeable. At present, the People's Navy has three aircraft carriers - Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian, with a total tonnage of 210,000 tons.
Four 075 amphibious assault ships with a total tonnage of 160,000 tons have also been commissioned. These large surface combat ships not only enhance the Navy's attack power, but also greatly enhance the capabilities of ocean-going operations and rapid response.
In terms of destroyers, the People's Navy has not only serviced many types of modern destroyers, such as 8 055 large destroyers and 25 052D destroyers, but is also under active construction, and it is expected that by 2027, the total number of destroyers will reach 68, and the total tonnage will exceed 600,000 tons.
This rapid expansion demonstrates the determination and capability of the People's Navy's rapid rise. In terms of frigates, the 054 series and 056A corvettes together have nearly 100 units in service, which provides the Navy with more versatility and flexibility, especially playing an important role in coastal defense and escort missions.
And in the underwater forces, the People's Navy is also not far behind, with no less than 6 094 strategic nuclear submarines and more than 15 093 series attack nuclear submarines, the existence of which greatly enhances the country's strategic deterrence and combat effectiveness.
In addition to traditional warships, the People's Navy also attaches great importance to the construction of special vessels. From electronic reconnaissance ships to special operations support ships, various types of ships are responsible for different tactical and strategic tasks, providing a solid backing for the Navy's diversified combat capabilities.
In the naval aviation sector, the People's Navy has also continuously expanded its carrier-based aircraft and shore-based aviation forces. Not only Su-30 fighters, J-15 carrier-based aircraft, but also new stealth fighters are being developed, which are expected to further enhance the combat capabilities of the aviation forces.
The People's Navy's information-based and network-based combat capabilities are also steadily improving. Through the modern communication system and network combat platform, the efficient operation of the command system and the rapid transmission of information between various theaters of operations are ensured.
From the South China Sea to the East China Sea, and then to strategic nodes in Africa and West Asia, a series of overseas bases have been continuously improved and expanded, which not only enhances the global influence of the People's Navy, but also ensures the safety of China's sea lanes.
The People's Navy has also invested heavily in personnel training and tactical research. Naval academies and research institutes at all levels are constantly exploring new operational theories and tactics and have trained batch after batch of high-quality military personnel.
Through unremitting efforts over the years, the People's Navy has grown from a weak navy to a powerful navy with an important position in the international community.
Every exercise and mission is showing the world its growth and strength. From regional defense to ocean-going operations, from sea rescue to international peace, the People's Navy is writing its own chapter of history with practical actions.
Today's People's Navy has not only made a qualitative leap in quantity, but has also reached the international advanced level in terms of technology and tactics. All these indicate that the People's Navy has become a global maritime force that cannot be underestimated, and all these achievements are the result of the unremitting efforts and struggles of countless naval personnel over the past 75 years.