President Hu Jintao, also Chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to warships participating in China's largest ever naval parade on April 23.

The event, held off the coast of Qingdao, eastern Shandong Province, was the culmination of a four-day celebration of the Chinese Navy's 60^th anniversary. On parade were 25 vessels and 31 aircraft of the Chinese Navy, including two nuclear-powered submarines.

A total of 21 visiting naval ships from 14 countries also took part in a subsequent international review.