A large group of students and citizens were invited to board and tour two naval vessels on April 23 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, as part of events being held to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The visitors boarded the Shenzhen and Yulin boats and took a closer look at two of the navy's modern warships.

"I've been up since five o'clock this morning and am so excited to see the warships and wish the navy a happy birthday", said one excited visitor. 

"I am really proud of my country", another visitor said.

Young students visit the Shenzhen warship at a port in Zhanjiang on April 23. [Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]

On the deck, the visitors got to enjoy a photo exhibition and sailors gave the students a detailed account of the navy's history, its warships, and what it was like to serve in the armed forces.

Jiang Hui, deputy political commissar for the Shenzhen destoryer, said that the event helped introduce some of the navy's achievements to the general public, as well as introduce children to the importance of patriotism and protecting maritime sovereignty.