The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, was officially commissioned on Wednesday. The 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control.

The first Type 054B frigate of the PLA Navy was handed over and commissioned at a naval port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Wednesday morning, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

At the naval port, the Luohe hoisted full ceremonial flags, and officers and soldiers stood in formation with high spirits. At about 10 am, the commissioning and flag-giving ceremony began. Attendees sang the national anthem as the Five-Starred Red Flag was raised slowly. The honor guards escorted the August 1 military flag and the naval flag and marched to the rostrum. The flag-raiser of the Luohe hoisted the flags on the fore and aft decks of the ship. The ceremony ended with the military song of the PLA, according to the report.

With the hull number 545 and a displacement of about 5,000 tons, the Luohe is a new generation of frigate independently developed and built by China. It has made breakthroughs in vessel stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integrated control, among other aspects, significantly enhancing its performances, said Xinhua.

The ship possesses strong comprehensive combat capabilities and diversified military mission capabilities, which are of great significance for improving the overall combat effectiveness of naval warship formations. It is an important piece of equipment for the transformation and development of the Chinese navy, according to Xinhua.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the new Type 054B frigate has undergone significant upgrades across its systems compared with its predecessor, the Type 054A.

The Type 054B is larger than the Type 054A, allowing for enhanced firepower and the ability to carry larger utility helicopters such as the Z-20, Song said.

Many of the most advanced technologies, including those applied on the Type 055 large destroyer, have likely been incorporated into the design of the Type 054B, Song believed.

Defender of nation

The Type 054B frigate was reportedly launched in 2023. In response to the reports, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference in August 2023 that it is a normal arrangement addressing national security needs and the overall naval trend of the PLA Navy developing equipment including main combat vessels according to related plans.

The goal is to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, and better safeguard world and regional peace and stability, Wu said, noting that China always follows a path of peaceful development, and unswervingly adheres to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

The Type 054B features extended endurance, enabling operations in both coastal and far seas environments. It is expected to take up the missions of the small Type 056 corvettes in coastal waters and join the Type 055 large destroyers in far seas missions, Song said.

The expert expected the Type 054B to be mass produced like the Type 054A.

Zhang Xuefeng, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the PLA Navy could build a large number of Type 054B frigates to address diverse maritime threats. He highlighted the frigate's balanced capabilities in anti-submarine, anti-ship and air defense missions, as well as its cost-effectiveness through the use of advanced technologies. 

It is one of the most advanced frigates in the world, Zhang Xuefeng said.

Chinese naval expert Zhang Junshe noted that the Type 054B can also operate as part of aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, providing escort in air defense and anti-submarine roles.

The first Type 054B is commissioned in Qingdao, which is the homeport of the aircraft carrier Liaoning, Zhang Junshe said that this is conducive to the vessel's joint training with the Liaoning aircraft carrier group. Since the PLA Navy has an aircraft carrier homeport also in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, it is likely that the Type 054B frigate could be deployed there in the future as well.

Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Wednesday the commissioning of the Type 054B frigate demonstrates the PLA Navy's progress in equipment development and manufacturing, significantly enhancing China's national defense. "With advanced warships like the Type 054B, the PLA Navy will strengthen its comprehensive combat capabilities in far seas, better safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests," he said.

After the tweet "guys, isn't this just how the world is supposed to be?" garnered 7.8 million views on X, families of the story's protagonists, US netizen Brecken Neumann and Chinese netizen RongRong (pseudonym) are both no longer satisfied with online communications. On Wednesday, Brecken shared his booked flight tickets to China on RedNote, and told the Global Times that " RedNote and new friends have elevated his plans to visit China on his priority list."

Recent days have seen lots of American internet users flocking to RedNote as US TikTok users anxiously await the fate of TikTok prior to the US Supreme Court's ruling on January 19.

On January 14, a "Hello" on RedNote connected Rong's family from Shanghai with Brecken's family from the southern US state of Mississippi. Rong told the Global Times that after chatting with Brecken on RedNote, she soon discovered that they hit it off, and so they added each other on WeChat. At Rong's suggestion, Brecken's wife also registered for WeChat. Now the four of them have a WeChat group chat called "World Family."

The four of them are actively engaged in their group chat, sharing breakfast ideas for their babies, daily parenting experiences and work meals. They also compare the cost of living in their respective countries and exchange stories about their pets. 

"We're around the same age, so we have a lot in common to talk about. It really feels like we're good friends," Rong told the Global Times.

"It feels amazing because it just shows how many of us are really here to enjoy this short life we have on this Earth together and with our families and kids," Brecken told the Global Times. It is great to form new friendships that no one ever thought were possible, Brecken said.

On Wednesday morning, Brecken shared a photo of his family's booked flight tickets to Shanghai, expressing his excitement by saying he will be seeing Rong and her family at the end of March. Rong also mentioned that both families love Disney, so they have already made plans to visit Shanghai Disney Resort together, while other activities are still being planned.

In sync with Brecken's excitement, Rong said she always knew that both families would meet one day. 

"I didn't know what to expect before coming to RedNote, but everyone is warm and welcoming," said Brecken, adding that with all different kinds of countries and people coming together now, it certainly is a global village.

Rong said that it's not just their story, she feels happy that people from different countries are communicating with each other on RedNote. "The platform built by RedNote has broken down the invisible walls between countries, allowing for a more genuine and deeper understanding of each other," she noted.

"You and me, From one world, Forever we are one family," just like the lyrics say, the world should be like a family. "Because we are born for love and peace," Rong said.