Sept 25, 2012

The Navy commissions its first aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning, in Dalian, Liaoning. Prior to being commissioned, the vessel, a half-built Soviet carrier, undergoes an extensive refit at a shipyard in Dalian.

Nov 23, 2012

Dai Mingmeng, a Navy pilot, lands on and then takes off from the flight deck of the Liaoning in his J-15 fighter jet, signaling the first carrier-based operation by a naval aviator.

May 10, 2013

The Navy establishes its first carrier-based aviation unit at a coastal base on the Bohai Sea.

Nov 26, 2013

The Liaoning begins its first long-range sail-training program. After arriving in the South China Sea, the carrier tests its combat systems and joins other warships to assess its ability to fit into a battle group.

March 21, 2014

CNS Kunming, the first Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, enters service with the South Sea Fleet. Type 052D ships are the Navy's most powerful fighting vessels.

March 29, 2015

CNS Linyi, a multi-role frigate that is part of the 19th Escort Fleet, evacuates 124 Chinese nationals from the port city of Aden, Yemen, in the first part of the Navy's weeklong evacuation operation. By the end of the operation, 683 Chinese citizens and 279 foreign nationals are evacuated.

April 26, 2017

China's first domestically designed aircraft carrier — which is yet to be named — is launched at a shipyard in Dalian. The vessel, which is undergoing tests and sea trials, will become the Navy's largest warship when it enters service.

June 28, 2017

The first of China's new-generation Type 055 guided-missile destroyers is launched at a shipyard in Shanghai. The vessel, which is expected to be commissioned soon, will be the Navy's largest, mightiest and most-advanced destroyer.