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China’s Navy Turns 60

When TE MANA and ENDEAVOUR attend the Chinese Fleet Review on 23 April, they will be among ships from 15 nations and delegations from 30 countries celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Navy of the Peoples Liberation Army of China. After the review, TE MANA, ENDEAVOUR and the RAN ships will remain in Qingdao until 26 April, to allow their participation in the multi-national ANZAC Day service in Beijing.

China’s Navy is described as ‘a strategic service of the PLA’ responsible for safeguarding China’s maritime security and maintaining the sovereignty of its territorial waters along with the nation’s maritime rights and interests.*

From its foundation in 1949 until the 1970s, the Navy’s main task was inshore defensive operations. The first five years were formative; from 1955 the Navy was organised into three fleets, each with elements of surface ships, submarines, coastal defences, maritime aviation and Marines.

Since the 1980s, and reflecting the overall modernisation of China, the Navy has undergone a transformation to develop its capability for ‘offshore defensive operations’. That means in this new century the PLA(N) now focuses on:

• Integrated offshore operations
• Strategic deterrence
• Strategic counter attacks
• Cooperation in distant waters, and
• Countering non-traditional security threats.

The Chinese ‘white paper’ states that after ‘nearly six decades of development, a modern force for maritime operations has taken shape, consisting of combined arms with both nuclear and conventional means of operations.’

Today, the PLA(N) is still structured as three fleets:

• The Beihai fleet (North Sea Fleet)– HQ at Qingdao
• The Dionghai Fleet (East Sea Fleet) - HQ at Ningbo, and
• The Nanhai Fleet (South Sea Fleet) - HQ at Zhanjiang.

Each fleet includes force elements of surface, submarine, aviation, amphibious and coastal defence forces, as well as support bases. The Navy also has eight major training institutions.

The navy’s modernisation programmes include new types of submarines, surface ships and aircraft, along with an improved logistic support system (including underway replenishment ships). As well, efforts are being made to improve the training and education of its officers and sailors. The navy is seen as a key part of China’s capabilities for Operations Other Than War, as well as being important for bilateral and multi-lateral exercises.

The American ‘Report to Congress on China’s Military Power’ (cited below) notes that the PLA(N) has acquired modern anti-ship cruise missiles such as the Russian-built SS-N-22 which equip the four Sovremennyy-class destroyers and the SS-N-27 submarine-launched missile, which equips eight of China’s 12 Kilo-class submarines. In addition, China continues to develop submarine-launched ballistic missiles, although with only two SSBNs in service (but four more planned) China’s seaborne nuclear deterrent is not yet mature.

China has a major ship building industry – the third largest in the world (after S Korea and Japan) and it is also capable of building a wide range of warships. There have been recurring reports of China’s interest in aircraft carriers (the old carrier HMAS MELBOURNE was scrapped in China and reportedly closely studied as it was dismantled) but US analysts assess no Chinese-built aircraft carrier would be likely before 2015 – if the Chinese government were to give the go-ahead.

In its invitation to the Fleet Review, the PLA(N) states it is dedicated to developing friendship and performing practical exchanges and cooperation with navies all over the world. In the future, the PLA(N) says it will continue its efforts in international and regional maritime security cooperation in a spirit of openness and in a cooperative way.

* Sources:

China’s National Defense in 2008. Information Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. January 2009, Beijing.

Annual Report to Congress. Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2008. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense, Washington DC.

The PLA Navy 60th Anniversary - Fleet Review

Theme of the Celebrations – Peace, Harmony and Cooperation

• To build a platform of mutual understanding for leaders of all Navies all over the world.  Navies can strengthen exchanges, gain a deeper understanding and promote friendship through celebration.
• To build a platform for leaders of Navies all over the world to discuss the issues of safeguarding maritime security.
• To provide an opportunity for Navies all over the world to understand China and the PLAN (to experience the culture, society, history and social development).

20 April:

Opening Ceremony and reception; Admiral Wu Shengli, Commander PLA Navy, will give the opening address followed by the Mayor of Qingdao.  

21 April:

Admiral Wu hosts an International Symposium with the theme "Harmonious Sea".  Topics include: Maritime Security, Maritime cooperation, creating a peaceful maritime environment.  Professional exchanges at the Navy Club for visiting ships’ Captains and crews, who are invited to give presentations. In addition, visiting Naval Bands will perform for crews, followed by sampan races, sports, sightseeing and shopping.

22 April:

Visiting Chiefs of Navy will visit PLA(N) ships, submarines, a hospital ship and the Submarine Academy. Ships’ Captains and Crews will conduct exchange visits - with deck receptions in the evening.

23 April:

The Fleet Review. Foreign delegations will view the fleet from a new PLAN destroyer, all Defence Attaches will be on a new PLA(N) frigate. The delegations embark from the Qingdao Olympic sailing centre.

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