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QINGDAO, April 23-- Dozens of military vessels flying different national flags lined up in waters off east China's port city of Qingdao as fighter jets streaked across the sky in formations. Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed a multinational fleet in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday afternoon as part of the activities to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. At around 12:40 p.m. Xi inspected the honor guards at a pier in Qingdao before he boarded destroyer Xining, which set sail to where the review was to be conducted. At around 2:30 p.m. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gave the commencing order. The first stage of the parade featured 32 Chinese navy vessels and 39 aircraft, including China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning and nuclear-powered submarines. The vessels sailed in six groups, including submarines, destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carrier, while the aircraft flew in 10 echelons, showcasing warplanes for early warning, reconnaissance, anti-submarine patrol, as well as bombers, carrier-based fighters and helicopters. Soldiers saluted Xi as their fleets passed by. "Salute to you, comrades," Xi called out to the soldiers. The second stage saw the participation of 18 visiting naval ships from 13 countries, including Russian Navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov and Australian Navy HMAS frigate Melbourne. | 
