The Hainan (left), the first Type 075 amphibious assault ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, arrives at a port in South China's Hainan Province on April 21, 2025, ahead of a scheduled open-house event to the public in celebration of the 76th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy. Photo: China Central Television

Warships, including a Type 075 amphibious assault ship, in preparation for open-house events in celebration of the upcoming founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, began to arrive in coastal Chinese cities on Monday.

The Hainan, the first Type 075 amphibious assault ship commissioned into the PLA Navy in 2021, docked at a port in South China's Hainan Province, the namesake of the vessel, on Monday, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. The vessel, a core asset in the system of the PLA Navy's maritime amphibious combat force, is scheduled to open from Thursday to Saturday to the public via online reservation.

This marks the first time that the Hainan will be open to the public in the Chinese mainland following its open-house event last year in Hong Kong, CCTV reported.

Also on Monday, the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Nanjing and the Type 056A guided missile corvette Lu'an arrived at a port in Taizhou, East China's Jiangsu Province for the scheduled open-house event from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to a separate CCTV report, which noted that the event marks the first time active-duty warships have returned to Taizhou, the birthplace of the PLA navy.

Five warships from the navy of the PLA Northern Theater Command, including the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Chengdu and the Type 054A guided missile frigate Linyi, arrived in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, and will be open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, CCTV reported.

April 23 marks the 76th founding anniversary of the PLA Navy. According to the Xinhua News Agency, more than 30 vessels in active service with the PLA Navy will open to the public across over 10 coastal cities.

This will be the largest number and most diverse range of vessels ever featured in a PLA Navy open-house event, Xinhua reported, noting that the vessels include Type 075 amphibious assault ship, the Type 071 amphibious transport dock, the Type 052C/D guided missile destroyers, the Type 054A guided missile frigate, the Type 056A guided missile corvette, the Type 903 comprehensive replenishment ship and the Type 22 missile boat.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the participating vessels cover most of the PLA Navy's active surface combat ship types, making them representative of the PLA Navy's developmental achievements.

The public will learn more about the navy's development at a closer range and spark patriotism, Zhang said, noting that this event consequently deepens solidarity between the military and the public, further boosting national defense.

As the PLA Navy continues to develop, more advanced warships are expected to open to the public in the future, Zhang said.