Evolution of China's Navy

China's Navy underwent a significant transformation over the years, evolving from a small fleet during the Cold War to become the second largest Navy globally by 2021. With 240,000 officers and sailors, 350 surface ships, submarines, 15,000 Marines, 28,000 naval aviation personnel, and nearly 700 aircraft, the Chinese Navy boasts substantial firepower, surpassing the US Navy in strike miles. The Navy's expansion involved commissioning new warships, constructing naval facilities, and actively engaging in tensions with the US, Taiwan, and Japan in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.