The People's Liberation Army Navy kicked off a grand maritime ceremony to celebrate its 60th anniversary at 6 pm. Monday off the coast of the eastern city Qingdao, Shandong province.

PLA Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli announced the start of the four-day festivities, which would include seminars, a sampan race and a fleet parade.

For the first time in history, China will display its nuclear powered submarines during the fleet parade. Deputy Commander of the PLA Navy, made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua, but no further details about the submarines were disclosed.

A total of 21 naval vessels from 14 other countries and delegations from 29 foreign countries will join the parade.

The PLA Navy was founded on April 23, 1949, based on a fleet of the Kuomintang regime's navy defected in the civil war.