Visitors attend the ship open-day event of the Northern Theater Command Navy in Qingdao, East China"s Shandong Province, on April 22, to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy. Photo: VCG

　　At a naval port in Dalian, Northeast China"s Liaoning Province, the Type 081 mine countermeasures ship Qingzhou opened to the public for the first time, drawing steady streams of curious visitors eager for a rare, up-close look at the vessel.

　　The open day forms part of nationwide celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy on Thursday. Naval bases across more than 10 cities have opened their gates, with over 40 active-duty vessels welcoming visitors—making it the largest and most diverse lineup in the history of such events, according to Xinhua News Agency.

　　Beyond the docks, the commemorations have unfolded on a grand scale, featuring open barracks, military band performances, solemn ceremonies honoring naval heroes, and flag-raising events.

　　In recent years, the PLA Navy has held open-day events on multiple occasions, with the types, scale, and influence of these events steadily expanding. Vessel open-day activities have become an important window for the public to learn about the PLA Navy and an effective means of promoting maritime awareness, said Xinhua.

　　In addition to a series of on-site events, the PLA Navy released 18 posters on social media on Thursday showcasing its equipment and the spirit of its personnel to celebrate the anniversary.