Growth of PLA navy 'impressive'

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-23 07:50

QINGDAO, Shandong: Japan is "a little concerned" with the rising strength of the Chinese navy, Vice-Admiral Koji Kato, deputy chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, said Wednesday.

"China has developed more and more ships and aircraft, in both quality and quantity," he told China Daily, after reviewing the Chinese submarine Great Wall-218.

"We should enhance mutual trust through more communications to avoid potential conflicts," he said through an interpreter.

Vice-Admiral Kato was among 30 foreign naval officers, including the commander of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet of the US Navy, who toured three Chinese naval ships Wednesday, a rarity for the Chinese navy.

This included an advanced type-054 missile frigate Wenzhou, a type-039 submarine Great Wall-218, and China's largest hospital ship Daishan, also known as the Ark of Peace.

"All these ships are designed and built by China independently," said Vice-Admiral Gu Wengen, deputy Commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) navy.

The tour came as the Chinese navy prepared to display two of its "top secret" nuclear submarines for the first time in a historic fleet review today.

Analysts have said the review demonstrates China's will to protect its national interests further off shore.

The fleet review, which will also showcase over a dozen of Chinese navy's destroyers, frigates, missile boats and aircraft, is scheduled for 2 pm off the Qingdao harbor.

US Vice-Admiral John Bird said he was "impressed" by the equipment of the Chinese navy, but he would not be drawn on details.

He said China had made "rapid and effective changes" to its weaponry and that the navy had "become much more open" about its activities.

Rear Admiral Tyrone Pile, the commander of Canadian Maritime Force Pacific, said the Chinese navy was more open than during his last visit in 1982.

Li Daguang, a weapons expert at the National Defense University in Beijing, said it is rare for the Chinese navy to invite foreign naval leaders to tour its warships.

"The openness comes from the confidence in itself," Li said.