What message does Xi Jinping aim to send with this naval review?

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Xi Jinping Aims to Project a Message of Peaceful Development Coupled with Growing Naval Strength

President Xi Jinping's review of a major naval parade, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of China's navy, was intended to convey a message of peaceful maritime development while showcasing the nation's burgeoning naval capabilities. The event, which featured a significant display of new guided missile destroyers and aircraft, underscored China's commitment to modernizing its People's Liberation Army (PLA) and projecting power beyond its shores. Xi's remarks emphasized cooperation and respect among navies, advocating for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes, even as China increases its presence in contested areas like the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
Showcase of Modernised Naval Power

The naval review prominently featured China's latest military advancements, including new-generation guided missile destroyers like the Xining, commissioned just two years prior, and the Nanchang, the first of a new fleet of 10,000-tonne destroyers. While China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier was not present, the Liaoning, acquired from Ukraine in 1998, was on display. The parade itself comprised 32 Chinese vessels and 39 aircraft, signalling a substantial increase in naval strength and a key area of focus within China's broader military modernisation efforts.
Emphasis on Maritime Peace and Order

During the event, Xi Jinping addressed foreign naval officers, stating that global navies should collaborate to safeguard maritime peace and order. He articulated China's aspiration for peace and its adherence to a path of peaceful development, calling for mutual respect, equality, trust, and enhanced dialogue and cooperation between nations' navies. This discourse suggests an intention to position China as a responsible stakeholder in global maritime security, seeking collaborative solutions rather than confrontation.
Call for Dialogue and Dispute Resolution

Xi Jinping's pronouncements also included a strong call against the use of force or threats of force, advocating instead for equal consultations and improved crisis communication mechanisms. He stressed the importance of strengthening regional security cooperation and promoting the proper settlement of maritime disputes. This aligns with China's stated policy of resolving territorial disagreements through negotiation, even as its naval activities in areas like the South China Sea raise concerns among regional and international actors.
Geopolitical Context and International Participation

The naval parade was attended by warships from 13 foreign countries, including India, Japan, Vietnam, and Australia, with delegations from 61 nations present. Notably, the United States sent a low-level delegation and no ships, although the USS Blue Ridge was visiting Hong Kong. This international participation, alongside China's increasing defence spending and its historical naval engagements, places the review within a broader context of regional maritime dynamics and the ongoing assertion of China's growing influence on the global stage.

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What message does Xi Jinping aim to send with this naval review?

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