This year marks the 90th birthday of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA has armed its soldiers with world-class equipment and cutting-edge weaponry. At the end of the year, Xinhua will brief you on the latest development.
1. First Homemade Aircraft Carrier
China's new aircraft carrier, the first developed and built by China, was launched on April 26, 2017.
Residents posed for photos on the flight deck of China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning in Hong Kong, south China, July 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)
The new carrier was transferred from a dry dock into water after a ceremony in northeast China's Dalian shipyard in Liaoning Province.
It is China's second aircraft carrier, coming after the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet Union-made carrier put into commission in 2012.
China began building its second carrier in November 2013, with dock construction starting in March 2015.
Putting the carrier into water marks progress in China's efforts to design and build a domestic aircraft carrier.
2. New-generation destroyer
Chinese Navy launched a new generation of destroyer on June 28 in east China's Shanghai (Xinhua-Wang Donghai)
Chinese Navy's new destroyer, a 10,000-tonne domestically designed and produced vessel, was launched on June 28 at Jiangnan Shipyard (Group), Shanghai.
The destroyer is the first of China's new generation of destroyers. It is equipped with new air defense, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.
The vessel marks a milestone in improving the nation's Navy armament system and building a strong and modern Navy.
3. Stealth fighters
China's J-20 stealth fighter flying at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua-Li Gang)
China's latest J-20 stealth fighters made their parade debut on June 30 in north China's Inner Mongolia, as the PLA staged a show of strength to mark its 90th founding anniversary.
The J-20 is China's fourth-generation medium and long-range fighter jet. With a maximum takeoff weight of about 200 tonnes, it is designed to carry cargo and personnel over long distances in complicated meteorological conditions. It officially entered military service in July 2016.
4. New supply ship
Hulun Nur 965, China's domestically-built supply vessel (China News.com)
Hulun Nur 965 is the first of a new type of comprehensive supply vessel independently developed by China using globally advanced technologies.
It is capable of replenishing an aircraft carrier group or other navy fleet on the high sea.
It joined the PLA Navy on September 1 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou
5. New naval training ship
The Qijiguang naval training ship was at the port of Colombo during a visit to Srilanka on November 10 (Xinhua)
A new training ship, the Qijiguang naval training ship was commissioned on February 22 at a military port in Lyushun, northeast China's Liaoning Province.
With hull number 83, the training ship is 163 meters long and 22 meters wide, with a full load displacement of 9,000 tonnes and maximum speed of 22 knots, making it the largest and most advanced training ship in the Chinese navy.
Designed and built by China, the training ship can accommodate over 400 navy cadets or officers for training in offshore waters and high seas. It can also be used in foreign exchanges, natural disaster rescue and other non-military operations.
Qi Jiguang was an ancient Chinese national hero in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) best known for leading Ming forces to defend China's eastern coastal regions from raids by Japanese pirates in the 16th century.
