The People’s Liberation Army Navy is exhibiting advanced warships, including a first-time showing of its Type 075 amphibious assault ship, during public open day events across mainland cities. The military celebration is occurring around the navy’s 76th anniversary on April 23 and features events across about 10 coastal cities – such as Qinhuangdao in northern China’s Hebei province, Shanghai in the east and Guangzhou in the southern Guangdong province – according to Xinhua. More than 30 active-duty warships are open for public tours, making it the largest and most diverse event of its kind. Many of the vessels on display have taken part in international missions, including escort operations in the Gulf of Aden, overseas port visits and multinational joint exercises. It is the first time the 40,000-tonne Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan has been open to the public on the mainland. The ship, which was launched in September 2019 and commissioned into service in April 2021, was displayed in Hong Kong in November. The vessel, also known as the Type 075 landing helicopter dock and crewed by around 1,100 sailors, is expected to play a key role in any military conflict involving Taiwan. The Hainan is mainland China’s first domestically designed large-scale amphibious warfare vessel and since its debut three more ships of the class have been constructed. Its 230-metre by 36-metre (754 by 118-foot) flight deck includes six helicopter landing spots on the port side and a smaller seventh area on the starboard which is most likely designated for drones. A stern elevator enables two medium helicopters to move between the hangar and the flight deck. Twice the size of the earlier Type 071 transport dock, the Type 075 can carry up to 30 rotary-wing aircraft to support amphibious operations. These include Z-8, Z-18 and Z-20 transport helicopters, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and, potentially, attack helicopters. Former PLA instructor Song Zhongping said the decision to publicly exhibit one of China’s largest warships “reflects growing confidence and military strength, and underscores the determination to safeguard national development interests”. For the celebration, the PLA’s hospital ship Peace Ark docked in Tianjin for the first time, while other warships will make inaugural visits to their namesake locations. For instance, Hainan arrived on Monday and will be open for public tours from Thursday to Saturday at the Macun Port terminal in Chengmai county, Hainan province. On Monday, the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Nanjing and the Type 056A guided-missile corvette Luan docked in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, for the open-house event. According to state television CCTV, it marks the first time active-duty warships have returned to Taizhou, the birthplace of the PLA Navy. Other key vessels available for public boarding across the nation include the Type 071 amphibious transport dock, Type 052C guided-missile destroyer, Type 054A guided-missile frigate, the Type 903 replenishment ship and the Type 22 missile boat. Xinhua said several naval aviation bases and military ports would also open to the public. Visitors would be able to interact with navy personnel and gain first-hand exposure to naval operations and culture.