QINGDAO – Over 10 countries, including Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and India,will send nearly 20 vessels to join a naval parade commemorating the 70thanniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)Navy, senior navy officer Qiu Yanpeng told a press conference Saturday.
More than 60 countries will send delegations to join multinational navalevents marking the anniversary, and over 30 countries of them will sendmajor navy leaders to participate, according to Qiu, deputy commander ofthe PLA Navy.
Nearly 20 foreign vessels of various capabilities, including destroyers,frigates and landing ships, will join Chinese vessels in the naval parade,showing to the world the “firm determination to safeguard peace and seekdevelopment with joint efforts,” Qiu said.
Organizing multinational naval parades is a unique ceremonial activity ofnavies, according to Qiu.
Multinational commemorative events, to be held in Qingdao and nearby seaareas and airspace from April 22 to 25, will feature various activitiesincluding high-level seminars and cultural and sports exchanges.
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Organizing multinational events is an established international practiceand a unique way of naval exchanges, Qiu said.
The events are expected to set up a platform for navies of differentcountries to strengthen communication and understanding, and createopportunities for navy leaders of different countries to discuss maritimesecurity cooperation, according to Qiu.
April 23 marks the 70th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy. -APP/Xinhua
