On April 23, 2026, Taiwanese compatriots joined mainland Chinese citizens in Qingdao, Shandong Province, to participate in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s 77th anniversary celebrations, marking a notable moment of cross-strait engagement during the annual naval open day events.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Taiwanese visitors toured the PLA Navy’s Urumqi and Weifang warships, both of which were open to the public as part of the nationwide commemorative activities. The visitors also visited the Naval Museum of Qingdao, where they examined exhibits detailing the navy’s history, equipment, and the daily lives of service personnel.
The event formed part of a broader series of activities held across more than 10 cities in China, during which over 40 active-duty naval vessels were opened to public visitation—described by state media as the highest number and greatest variety of ships ever made accessible in a single year.
In Qingdao alone, six vessels were displayed at Pier No. 3, including the Type 052D Lhasa-class guided missile destroyer and the Type 054A Jiangkai-II frigate, alongside specialized support ships such as ocean-going rescue vessels and replenishment tankers. The Wuhan, a Type 052D destroyer, made its debut appearance at an open day event, drawing significant public interest.
Taiwanese participants expressed personal reflections on the experience. Lin Yizhen, a young Taiwanese woman, said she felt a profound sense of security knowing the presence of the People’s Liberation Army contributed to regional peace, and expressed hope to share her impressions with other youth in Taiwan.
Lü Lishi, a Taiwanese internet personality, described the visit as his first time boarding a PLA Navy vessel, calling it a source of joy and emphasizing that compatriots on both sides of the strait belong to one family. He urged a return to the 1992 Consensus as a foundation for peaceful cooperation and shared progress toward national rejuvenation.
Throughout the day, visitors from Taiwan and the mainland gathered on the decks of the open ships to take photographs, with many posing beside the main artillery of the Urumqi warship while voicing well-wishes such as “Happy Birthday to the People’s Navy.”
The naval open day tradition, highlighted by officials, serves as a key platform for civil-military engagement and public understanding of naval capabilities. In recent years, the scale and reach of these events have expanded significantly, coinciding with major national anniversaries such as the founding of the PLA Navy and National Day.
State media coverage emphasized themes of continuity and heritage, referencing a newly released promotional film titled “Toward the Deep Blue,” which uses the metaphor of a compass passed between generations of sailors to symbolize enduring commitment to naval modernization and national defense.
The events in Qingdao were widely documented by journalists from Xinhua, who provided photographic evidence of Taiwanese and mainland visitors interacting with naval personnel, touring ship interiors, and participating in educational displays such as flag signaling demonstrations and diving equipment exhibits.
No official figures were released regarding the exact number of Taiwanese participants, but multiple media reports confirmed their presence as part of the broader public attendance, which reached tens of thousands across the participating cities.
The 77th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Navy falls on April 23 each year, commemorating its establishment in 1949. This year’s observance included not only vessel openings but also military band performances, martyr commemorations, and flag-raising ceremonies in various locations nationwide.
As of the latest verified reports, no further large-scale naval open day events have been announced for the immediate future, though such activities typically recur during significant national or military anniversaries.
For ongoing updates on PLA Navy activities and public engagement initiatives, official channels including the Ministry of National Defense and Xinhua News Agency remain primary sources of verified information.
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