To mark the 77th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the service opened its military barracks and active-duty naval vessels to members of the general public in Shanghai on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The public open day event, reported by China’s official news agency Xinhua in an update published April 22, offered ordinary citizens a rare, up-close opportunity to tour operating naval platforms, including the PLA Navy frigate Fuyang. Photographs from the event captured members of the public exploring the vessel, as the Navy sought to bridge the gap between military personnel and civilian communities and build public understanding of its mission. This anniversary event forms part of a broader regular initiative by the PLA to increase transparency around its work and foster national pride among the Chinese public by opening military facilities to civilian visitors. The 77th anniversary commemoration comes as the PLA Navy continues to evolve as a modern, blue-water naval force, and the open house event creates an accessible space for citizens to connect with the service’s 77-year history and contemporary operations.