PLA Navy celebrates 75th founding anniversary
PLA Navy celebrates 75th founding anniversary
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy held open day events in multiple coastal cities across China around Tuesday to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding, with numerous people getting onboard advanced warships to enjoy the moment of pride and patriotism with naval officers. Military experts said the Chinese navy will keep developing and getting more powerful in the future to meet the demand of safeguarding the nation and world peace.
April 23 marks the 75th anniversary of the PLA Navy. From Saturday to Wednesday, the public in Qingdao will be able to tour the missile destroyers Guiyang, Shijiazhuang and Kaifeng, missile frigate Handan, supply ship Kekexilihu, and submarine rescue vessel Hongzehu at the pier 3 and the Qingdao International Sailing Center pier.
Most of the other naval vessels have been involved in major missions such as escort missions in the Gulf of Aden authorized by the UN Security Council, overseas port visits and joint exercises.
Final rehearsal completed as the world awaits Shenzhou-18’s take-off
China’s Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft is scheduled to be launched at 8:59 pm Beijing time on April 25th from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The Shenzhou 18 crew will spend about six months in the space station and is expected to return in late October.
– The Shenzhou 18 crew consists of three astronauts: Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, with Ye serving as the commander. All three astronauts are in their 30s.
– Shenzhou 18 will carry experimental equipment and related samples and will conduct the country’s first in-orbit aquatic ecology research project.
– During their time in orbit, the Shenzhou 18 crew will conduct six cargo airlock out-of-cabin tasks and two to three out-of-cabin activities.
– The Shenzhou 17 crew will return to Dongfeng Landing Field on April 30th after completing an in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou 18 crew.
– The spokesperson for the China Manned Space Program said that China will accelerate research and promote the participation of foreign astronauts and space tourists in space station flights.
Fun Fact: 54 years ago today, China’s first artificial satellite, Dongfanghong 1, was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Malaysian Foreign Minister kicks off China visit
Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit to China, his first visit to the country since he took the post in December 2023. Chinese experts said this visit could pave the way for future high-level exchanges between the two countries and also aims to implement a series of consensus reached by the two heads of state in 2023.
Some experts hailed China-Malaysia relations as exemplary and pragmatic among China’s relations with ASEAN countries. Despite changes in the Malaysian government since 2018, the major direction of cooperation between China and Malaysia has not been significantly impacted.
Malaysia’s stance on the South China Sea issue is relatively pragmatic and moderate, emphasizing dialogue concerning the issue, which will also send out a positive signal to the region, especially when the Philippines continues to provoke tensions under the US’ instigation.