Russian warships mark China navy's founding anniversary

BEIJING -- Russian warships participating in a Chinese-Russian joint naval drill raised China's national flag on Monday to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

A flag-raising ceremony is held on a Russian warship participating in the China-Russian joint naval exercises in Qingdao, Shandong province to mark the anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, April 23, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Rear Admiral Leonid Sukhanov said the flag-raising ceremony was held to mark the anniversary and to salute Chinese military officers and soldiers who have participated in the joint exercise.

Flag-raising ceremonies were also held on anchored Chinese warships, as well as the Chinese navy fleet's camp.

The PLA Navy was founded on April 23, 1949.

The two sides will organize football games and other events to celebrate the occasion.

The joint drill, taking place in the Yellow Sea between April 22 and 27, involves a total of 18 vessels from the PLA Navy and four Russian warships from its Pacific fleet, as well as three supply ships.

The exercise will focus on the defense of air routes and maritime traffic routes, search and rescue operations and anti-submarine tactics, as well as joint rescues of hijacked vessels.

Also on Monday, 65 military officers from 53 countries joined the Chinese navy's anniversary celebration in Beijing.

In recent years, the Chinese navy successfully finished major missions such as escorts in the Gulf of Aden, sending hospital ships to Africa and Latin America as well as various visits and drills.