Published : 05/07/2025

On July 5, 2000, a Chinese naval fleet consisting of the missile destroyer Shenzhen and the comprehensive supply ship Nancang, both independently developed by China, departed from Zhanjiang to visit Malaysia, Tanzania, and South Africa.

This visit to three Asian and African countries set records for the Chinese People's Navy's first crossing of three great oceans (the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans), its first crossing of the Indian Ocean, its first visit to Malaysia, its first passage through the Cape of Good Hope, and its first visit to the African continent, with a round-trip journey of over 16,000 nautical miles.

The Shenzhen, known as the "First Ship of China," is the first Type 051B destroyer developed and built by China, and is also an important surface vessel of the Chinese Navy.

The Shenzhen is 153 metres long, 16.5 metres wide, with a standard displacement of 5,000 tonnes, a full-load displacement of 6,600 tonnes, and a maximum speed of over 30 knots.

The ship is equipped with modern anti-ship missiles, ship-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, and fully automatic cannons, as well as advanced equipment such as an air and sea search radar, long-range warning radar, navigation radar, fire control radar, hull sonar, variable depth sonar, combat command system and electronic warfare system.

It is also equipped with shipborne helicopters, providing strong integrated combat capabilities for sea attack, air defence, and anti-submarine warfare.

The Shenzhen officially joined the South China Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy in February 1999 and became its flagship, with its home port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province.

Since its commissioning, the Shenzhen has undertaken numerous external visit missions, having carried out five external visit missions in six and a half years.

The Shenzhen has crossed three oceans and visited multiple countries and regions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with a total voyage of over 100,000 nautical miles.

It has become the Chinese Navy vessel with the most external visits, setting multiple firsts in the Chinese Navy's foreign interactions.