The ships and naval aircraft were on a parade Thursday off the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao, marking the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Navy.

China's President Hu Jintao watched the naval review from the bridge of a Chinese destroyer and 14 foreign navies also took part in the parade.

President Hu has denied any threat posed by an expanding Chinese Navy. He said China will always be a force for the preservation of world peace.

The Chinese Navy has 250,000 sailors submariners more than any other Asian nation with 10 nuclear-powered vessels and as many as 60 diesel electric subs.

There were 25 People's Liberation Army navy vessels and 31 aircraft in Thursday's parade. The Chinese flotilla included two nuclear submarines which was the first time to appear in a public ceremony.

China