A file photo of the People's Liberation Army Navy honor guard. [Photo/VCG] Emerging plan may feature nation's second aircraft carrier, new destroyer China will host a multinational naval activity on April 23 in Qingdao, Shandong province, to honor the 70th birthday of the People's Liberation Army Navy, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense. Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, deputy head of the ministry's information office, told reporters at a news conference on Thursday afternoon that the activity has been approved by the Central Military Commission, and detailed information about it will be published later. The PLA Navy said in a statement on Thursday that it welcomes reporters to cover the activity and that a media center in Qingdao will start receiving journalists on April 20. Sources close to the Navy told China Daily that the activity is highly likely to comprise a massive sea parade of major ships, submarines and aircraft from the Navy, along with vessels from other countries, noting it is also likely to be even larger and more spectacular than the sea parade in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018, that involved more than 10,000 Navy personnel, 48 ships and submarines and 76 naval aircraft. Wu Peixin, a defense industry observer in Beijing, said the April 23 activity will be a good occasion for the Navy to showcase the latest hardware delivered during the past year. I am looking forward to seeing the participation of the second aircraft carrier, the Type 055 destroyer and the latest aircraft, he said. However, whether the second aircraft carrier will be ready for this parade - which is likely to be its public debut - depends on its sea trial schedule. China's second aircraft carrier - the first to be designed domestically - is reported to have begun its fifth sea trial earlier this week. Observers have speculated that the new carrier will be commissioned before April 23 so it can appear in the unprecedented demonstration of the country's naval prowess. The Chinese military said the colossal vessel displaces more than 50,000 metric tons and will have stronger fighting capability than the CNS Liaoning, the Navy's first carrier, which was refitted from an unfinished Soviet Union vessel. Meanwhile, if the Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, widely believed to be the mightiest of its kind in the world, can take part in the coming parade, they will be further testament to the PLA Navy's growing strength. The 10,000-ton destroyer, usually designated as a cruiser by foreign observers, is equipped with what are believed to be the most advanced radars and missiles in the world and has more than 100 vertical launch cells capable of firing various kinds of projectiles. At least four Type 055 ships have been built, while the first of them is said to be very close to being commissioned. An insider in China's military shipbuilding industry who asked not to be named said he hoped the electromagnetic railgun being tested by the Navy could be displayed in the coming parade. If it can show up in the parade, it will tell the world that we are the first to have deployed this state-of-the-art weapon, which will have the power to reshape the future of naval warfare, he said. wristbands canadacustom silicone bracelets canadarubber bracelets canadasilicone bracelets canadasilicone wristbands canadacustom wristbands canadacanadian wristbandswristbands canada
BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping Friday stressed the importance of reform in 2018, when China will celebrate the 40th anniversary of launching the reform and opening-up policy.Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while addressing a New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).In 2018, efforts should be made to comprehensively implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, adhere to seeking progress while maintaining stability as the underlying principle, and boost the healthy and continual development of the country's economy and society, Xi said.Xi vowed to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in 2018."We will continue to implement the policies of 'one country, two systems,' 'the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong,' 'the people of Macao governing Macao,' and a high degree of autonomy for both regions," Xi said.He pledged to adhere to the one-China principle, push forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations based on the 1992 Consensus, and oppose separatist activities in any form."We will stick to peaceful development as always and build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity," Xi said.Xi also stressed the importance of developing a patriotic united front and improving the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC in 2018 in order to gather consensus and realize the goals set at the 19th CPC National Congress.Looking back, Xi said that 2017 was "a landmark year in the development of the Party and the country, with remarkable achievements fulfilled in all areas of socialism with Chinese characteristics.""China has developed its diplomacy on all fronts and remained committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi said.Noting strict governance over the Party "is a journey to which there's no end," Xi said that the anti-corruption campaign had built into a crushing tide, and was being consolidated and developed in 2017.The country carried on deepening reform in all aspects in 2017, with 79 key reform tasks completed, 211 reform tasks finished by central departments and 399 reform plans put forward in various sectors, he added.On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, State Council and CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages with no party affiliation, people's organizations, as well as people from all walks of life, including workers, farmers, intellectuals, soldiers and police officers.His greetings were also extended to compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, as well as international friends.Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, presided over the gathering.Yu asked political advisory bodies to perform their functions of political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs.The gathering was also attended by senior leaders Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Zhang Gaoli, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, along with non-CPC members, leading officials of central departments, members of different ethnic groups and people from all walks of life.The CPPCC serves as a key mechanism for multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, and is a major manifestation of socialist democracy.
