People's Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of China. It is the world's largest navy by number of ships, with more than 700 warships and support ships as of 2024. The navy has many types of forces, such as ships on the surface, submarines, coastal defense units, marines, and naval air forces. It has around 384,000 people.

The PLAN began on April 23, 1949. For many years, it mainly worked to protect China's coast and nearby waters. But since the 1990s, China has been updating its navy so it can travel farther and work in more places around the world.

Today, the PLAN is modern and can work far from China's coast. It has many submarines and three aircraft carriers. The navy often takes part in exercises and patrols near places where China has disagreements, such as the Taiwan Strait, the Senkaku Islands, and the South China Sea. Sometimes, its ships travel through the waters of other countries under rules that allow peaceful passage.

History

See also: Naval history of China

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) began as parts of the Republic of China Navy that joined the People's Liberation Army near the end of the Chinese Civil War. Some boats from Japan and Manchukuo Imperial Navy that patrolled near the Soviet Union were also given to the PLAN after Japan surrendered. In 1949, leader Mao Zedong said China needed a strong navy. During a battle on Hainan Island, communist forces used old wooden boats as ships. The navy was officially created on April 23, 1949, by bringing together navy forces from different areas under one command in Jiangyan (now part of Taizhou, Jiangsu).

The Naval Academy started in Dalian on November 22, 1949, with help from teachers from the Soviet Union. At first, it had many different kinds of small ships and boats taken from the Kuomintang forces. The Naval Air Force was added two years later. By 1954, about 2,500 naval teachers from the Soviet Union were in China, and the Soviet Union began giving China modern ships.

With help from the Soviet Union, the navy was organized in 1954 and 1955 into the North Sea Fleet, East Sea Fleet, and South Sea Fleet, and leaders called admirals were chosen from army officers. China first built ships with Soviet help, then copied Soviet designs, and later made its own ship designs. Eventually, China and the Soviet Union talked about working together on a navy for the Pacific Ocean.

1950s and 1960s

Even during difficult times in the late 1950s and 1960s, the navy kept going. Under leader Lin Biao, the navy got money to build new ships. During a big political time called the Cultural Revolution, some top navy leaders were removed, but the navy kept training and taking care of its ships and planes.

1970s and 1980s

In the 1970s, about 20 percent of China’s money for defense went to the navy, and the navy grew fast. The number of submarines went from 35 to 100, ships that carry missiles went from 20 to 200, and bigger ships for far-away trips were built. The navy also started making nuclear-powered submarines.

In the 1980s, under leader Liu Huaqing, the navy became strong in the area around China, but kept building ships at a slower rate than in the 1970s. Liu Huaqing was an army officer who mostly worked with science and technology. It wasn’t until 1988 that a navy officer led the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Liu was close to Deng Xiaoping.

During Liu’s time, navy yards built fewer ships but focused more on better technology and training. The navy also changed its plans to do more operations far from shore.

1990s and 2000s

As the year 2000 came close, the PLAN started doing more operations far from its usual waters.^: 23–30  From 1990 to 2002, military leader Jiang Zemin focused on improving the navy.^: 261 

Between 1989 and 1993, a training ship named Zhenghe visited ports in Hawaii, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. PLAN ships visited Vladivostok several times from 1993 to 1996. PLAN groups also visited Indonesia in 1995; North Korea in 1997; New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines in 1998; Malaysia, Tanzania, South Africa, the United States, and Canada in 2000; and India, Pakistan, France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand in 2001.^: 114 

In March 1997, the Luhu-class guided missile destroyer Harbin, the Luda-class guided missile destroyer Zhuhai, and a supply ship Nancang made the PLAN’s first trip around the Pacific Ocean. It took 98 days and included stops in Mexico, Peru, Chile, and the United States, including Pearl Harbor and San Diego.

The Luhu-class guided missile destroyer Qingdao and a supply ship Taicang completed the PLAN’s first trip around the world in 123 days between May 15 and September 23, 2002. They visited Singapore, Egypt, Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Portugal, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and French Polynesia. The ships took part in naval exercises with French ships and the Peruvian Navy.

From 1985 to 2006, PLAN ships visited 18 nations in Asia and the Pacific, 4 in South America, 8 in Europe, 3 in Africa, and 3 in North America.^: 115  In 2003, the PLAN had its first joint naval exercises during visits to Pakistan and India. It also did joint exercises with France, Britain, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, and the United States.^: 116 

On December 26, 2008, the PLAN sent a group of ships to the Gulf of Aden to help keep the area safe. Since then, China has kept a group of three ships in the Gulf of Aden, changing them every three months. Other recent events for the PLAN include a big accident with a submarine in 2003 and some issues with U.S. ships in 2009. For the 60th birthday of the PLAN in April 2009, 52 to 56 ships took part in exercises near Qingdao, including nuclear submarines that had not been seen before.

2010s and 2020s

Starting in 2009, China got special boats from Ukraine and Greece. These boats can quickly carry soldiers and tanks to land near beaches. They were seen as a threat to movements trying to split Taiwan and to arguments over the Senkaku Islands. China keeps making its navy stronger by building more submarines, ships for landing wars, and ships that fight on the water.

In July 2013, a group of 7 ships from the North Sea Fleet joined ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet for a big naval exercise called Joint Sea 2013 in the Sea of Japan.

On April 2, 2015, during a difficult time after a change in leadership in Yemen, the PLAN helped ten countries get their people out of Yemen safely. They used a missile frigate to take people from the port city of Aden.

China is taking part in more international naval exercises. In RIMPAC 2014, China sent ships for the first time. This was both the first time China joined a RIMPAC exercise and the first time China joined a big naval exercise led by the United States. In April 2016, China was invited again to RIMPAC 2016 even though there were arguments over the South China Sea.

In 2017, the PLAN hospital ship Peace Ark went to Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania, helping thousands of people.

The PLAN kept growing in the 2020s, adding new ships and building navy bases. Experts say the PLAN’s growth is meant to strengthen China’s navy. The PLAN’s ability grew a lot in the 2010s and 2020s.

In 2024, the PLAN did big training exercises. Two airplane carrier groups, Liaoning and Shandong, operated together in the South China Sea for the first time. The PLAN uses at least 9 ports around the world for refuelling and gathering information, usually owned by Chinese companies. These ports help China keep its influence around the world. In 2025, the two carrier groups operated together in the western Pacific beyond the first island chain for the first time, and one of them went past the second island chain for the first time.

Organizational structure

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval part of China's military. It has five main groups: Surface Force, Submarine Force, Coastal Defense Force, Marine Corps, and Naval Air Force.

After changes in 2016, the PLAN has several main offices to help it work.

Operationally, the PLAN works with the Joint Operations Command Center. It has three fleets: the Northern Theater Command Fleet based in Qingdao, the Eastern Theater Command Fleet based in Ningbo, and the Southern Theater Command Fleet based in Zhanjiang.

The Surface Force has all the ships that travel on the water. The Submarine Force has nuclear and diesel-electric submarines. The Coastal Defense Force protects China's coast. The Marine Corps are special troops trained for fighting on land and at sea. The Naval Air Force operates airplanes and helicopters from bases along the coast and from ships.

Ranks

Main article: Ranks of the People's Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy uses ranks like the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, Air Force, and the Rocket Force. The current system for officer ranks started in 1988. A special rank called Hai Jun Yi Ji Shang Jiang was never used and removed in 1994. With new Type 07 uniforms, officer symbols appear on the shoulders or sleeves. The system for enlisted ranks began in 1998.

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Commanders

The People's Liberation Army Navy has had many leaders over the years. Some important commanders include Xiao Jinguang, Ye Fei, Liu Huaqing, Zhang Lianzhong, Shi Yunsheng, Zhang Dingfa, Wu Shengli, Shen Jinlong, Dong Jun, and Hu Zhongming. These leaders helped guide the navy through different times in history.

Political Commissars

The People's Liberation Army Navy has had many leaders who helped guide its political side. Some of these leaders include Su Zhenhua, Li Zuopeng, Ye Fei, Li Yaowen, Wei Jinshan, Zhou Kunren, Yang Huaiqing, Hu Yanlin, Liu Xiaojiang, Miao Hua, Qin Shengxiang, and Yuan Huazhi. These leaders served from the 1950s up until recently, helping to shape the navy's direction and values.

Contemporary topics

Strategy, plans, priorities

The People's Liberation Army Navy has become more important because of changes in China's military plans. New challenges include possible tensions with the United States or Japan in areas like the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea. The navy wants to become a strong force far from its coast, able to operate in distant waters.

China is building a large underground base for nuclear submarines near Sanya, Hainan. In 2007, the first of a new type of submarine was moved there. Reports say tunnels are being built to hide up to 20 nuclear submarines. This base would help China project its power into the Pacific Ocean.

Comparison to US Navy

As of 2024, the People's Liberation Army Navy is the second-largest navy in the world by total size, behind only the United States Navy. It has more than 370 ships and submarines, while the US Navy has about 292. However, many Chinese ships are newer and smaller, with most built after 2010. The US Navy still has larger ships, including big aircraft carriers and amphibious ships.

Territorial disputes

The navy has been involved in disputes over islands in the South China Sea. One dispute involves the Spratly Islands, where China and several other countries claim ownership. In 1988, Chinese and Vietnamese ships had a clash near these islands.

Another dispute is over the Diaoyu Islands, called the Senkaku Islands in Japan. China and Japan both claim these islands, which are near important shipping routes and fishing areas. There have been many incidents where Chinese and Japanese ships and planes have come close or entered the disputed waters.

Anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden

In December 2008, China sent navy ships to help protect Chinese ships from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

2011 Libyan Civil War

Before the 2011 conflict in Libya, the Chinese navy helped evacuate Chinese people from the country.

Yemen conflict

In 2015, during the conflict in Yemen, the Chinese navy helped evacuate Chinese and foreign citizens, including people from Pakistan, Ethiopia, Singapore, the UK, Italy, and Germany.

Ream Naval Base

In 2019, there were reports that China had an agreement to use part of the Ream naval base in Cambodia. Cambodian officials denied this, saying the base is Cambodian and any foreign use is temporary. In 2021, Cambodia said China was helping build infrastructure at the base with no special conditions.

Equipment

China's navy is the second-largest in the world by the total weight of its ships.

Ships and submarines

For a more comprehensive list, see List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

As of 2024, the navy has a battle force of more than 350 ships and submarines. Ships are named following special rules.

Aircraft

For a more comprehensive list, see List of active People's Liberation Army aircraft § People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force.

The Chinese Navy uses airplanes that take off from airfields and from ships, as well as helicopters. These help with moving supplies, watching for enemies, keeping watch, and helping people in need.

Naval weaponry

Main article: Naval weaponry of the People's Liberation Army Navy

The QBS-06 is a special rifle used underwater. In 2018, pictures appeared online showing what people said was a Chinese weapon on a ship. Reports said China was testing a new type of weapon at sea.

Future of the People's Liberation Army Navy

See also: Chinese aircraft carrier programme

The People's Liberation Army Navy wants to sail farther out to the ocean, reaching areas near Australia and the Aleutian islands. They also plan to operate near the Straits of Malacca close to the Indian Ocean.

Between 2001 and 2006, China built many new ships, adding over 60 brand new ones. At the same time, some older ships were retired or updated with new equipment.

Experts say that China’s long-term goals include protecting its trade routes far away, especially those that bring energy from the Persian Gulf. After building two smaller aircraft carriers, China started building a new, larger one. Plans include creating several groups of ships for different missions. Reports suggest China may build even more carriers in the years ahead.

China has also set up its first overseas base in Djibouti, which helps protect important trade paths and keep ships safe during missions.