Defence Current Affairs: 70th Anniversary of PLAN

The Navy of China (known as People’s Liberation of Army Navy) is the second largest navy in the world. On 23rd April, the PLAN will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary. It has also invited more than a dozen foreign navies to participate in a parade.

Let’s read about the 70th Anniversary of PLAN in detail and why is it important.

Defence Current Affairs: 70th Anniversary of PLAN

The People’s Liberation of Army Navy has changed its stance in recent years from a green-water navy to a regional blue-water defensive and offensive navy.

The Parade:

The parade will be held in the Yellow Sea off the Qingdao coast in Shandong province on April 23, said on Ren Zhiqiang, a spokesman for the National Defence Ministry.

This is the 6th edition of the such an anniversary with the first being conducted in 1957.

The PLAN has invited the USA, Pakistan, France, India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines etc.

It will include various activities including, among others, high - level symposia, an international fleet inspection, a joint display of military music, cultural and sports exchanges.

Why is the Parade important?

This parade is of utmost importance as the recent aggressive expansion of China in the South China Sea is taken negatively by many neighbouring countries like Vietnam, Taiwan etc.

South China Sea:

The 2018 April’s review in the South China Sea, there were approximately 48 vessels and 76 Planes, including China’s 1st Aircraft carrier Liaoning.

In order to meet all this demand, China sees unfettered access to the South China Sea. At present, 86% of China's maritime oil imports pass through the South China Sea, as well as more than half of its maritime gas. Due to this aggressive stance, the USA and its allies fear China’s hegemony.

China and the United States have been at odds over the 27 islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Since 2014, China has been building military outposts on at least 12 of them. International law does not recognize these claims. There are competing interests in Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.

India’s Stance:

India is taking part in the anniversary of China and has sent INS Kolkata and INS Shakti.

INS Kolkata is the stealth guided-missile destroyer which is equipped with state of the art Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missile and land-attack cruise missile.

INS Shakti is a fleet tanker ship of the Indian Navy.

In addition to India, Russia, Japan, France have already accepted the invitation to China. Pakistan & USA, on the other hand, have declined the invitation.

Conclusion:

China has asserted the fact that it wants to assist smaller regional partners such as the Philippines & wants to reassure them about its peaceful expansion.

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Defence Current Affairs: 70th Anniversary of PLAN