I was in Hainan Island awhile back. Wanted to go diving and the
Hainan Island guide recommended me to go to an island about
45minutes away from Sanya and the only way to the Island was via a
PLN facility. I was worried : ) but the guide told me he has
connections. I agreed and I was brought to a supposedly high
security Naval base.
Firstly, I was amazed that the Security was very lax, I thought I
will be stopped being a Foreigner, but the PL Navy MPs let me thru
into the base together with some Locals ( Hainanese ) going to the
same remote Island. The PLN MPs avoided me totally, I think because
of communication problems and they didn't know how to react to
having a foreigner around.
On my way to the ferry jetty inside the Naval base, I pass by alot
of PLN personnels, who was in sloppy military attires and sailor
outfits, very ragged and most in sandals. The ships ( mostly Patrol
Boats and riverine boats ) berthed have clothes being dried on
clothes-line onboard.
The most surprising part was, I realised It was also a major
submarine base. they have huge submarine pens built into hills and
some have rusting looking submarines in it. The guide informed me
the Subs' pen were built by the Japanese during wartime and is
being used by PLN since then.
What I saw at the huge Naval base was utter mess. Rusting boats and
subs, dilipated buildings, Ill disciplined, badly attired military
personnels and ragged sailors. This was supposed to be a major
active Naval base for the PLN for the South China Seas and Sea of
Japan sea lanes.
I conclude, China has a long way to go to match the Americans or
the Rest of East Asia for a Blue water Navy. They can't fight a war
in the current derelict state I saw in Yalong Bay. China Acquiring
New Ships is one thing, but maintaining them and keeping
discipline, morale high troops is another when they are based a
long way from the Chinese mainland
