The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or PLA Navy) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the People's Republic of China.
Until the early 1990s, the PLA Navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Ground Force. Since then, the PLA Navy has undergone a rapid modernization. The PLA Navy is the second largest naval service in the world, only behind the United States Navy. With a personnel strength of over 250,000, the PLAN also includes the 35,000-strong Coastal Defense Force and the 56,000-strong PLA Marine Corps, plus a 56,000-strong PLA Naval Air Force, operating several hundred land-based aircraft and ship-based helicopters. As part of its overall program of naval modernization, the PLA Navy is moving towards the development of a blue-water navy.
As of 2008, English-language official Chinese state media no longer uses the term "People's Liberation Army Navy", instead the term "Chinese Navy" along with the usage of the prefix "CNS" for "Chinese Navy Ship" is now employed.
Read more about People's Liberation Army Navy: Mission, History, Organization, Equipment, Navy Aviation, Future Fleet
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