China's Modernization Through the Eyes of Foreign Military Personnel | A City of Mountains and Sea Witnesses an Open and Striving China
A City of Mountains and Sea Witnesses an Open and Striving China
■ PLA Daily Correspondents Zhang Junsheng and Zhang Lin
During the China-Russia "Maritime Joint-2026" joint exercise, Russian officers Major Roman, Captain Ilya, and Lieutenant Pavel boarded the Chinese Navy frigate Kaifeng as observers to watch the full course of the drills. Over several days together, they gradually grew familiar with some of the Chinese crew members. During leisure time, this correspondent spoke with them through an interpreter, covering topics ranging from the joint exercise itself to Qingdao and the rapidly developing China they saw before them.
Although it was his first time setting foot on Chinese soil, Lieutenant Pavel was already well acquainted with all manner of Chinese cuisine and handled chopsticks with ease. He said: "Before this, I often went to Chinese restaurants. This time in Qingdao I made a point of sampling local specialty dishes—the flavors were excellent."
What impressed him even more was the city of Qingdao itself: "The Qingdao TV Tower stands atop Taiping Mountain Central Park, and the mountain roads offer beautiful scenery along the way. This city is very well built and very convenient to live in." The natural scenery of mountains meeting the sea, complementing the modern urban character of the city, made him take an immediate liking to this coastal city. Looking ahead, Pavel was full of anticipation, hoping that on his next visit to China he could travel to Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other places to experience China's developmental appeal more deeply.
From impressions of the palate to touring the city, Pavel's first "China trip" was full of vivid vitality.
Unlike his companion who was visiting China for the first time, Captain Ilya had long since formed a connection with Qingdao. He had visited here in 2019 aboard a Russian participating vessel, and returning now, he remarked with feeling: "This city is more modern, and technological development has moved even faster."
Ilya said that what moved him most about observing drills aboard a Chinese Navy warship this time was not only the equipment, but the mutual understanding between the personnel of both sides. "Although we speak different languages, we trust each other highly, and the exercise proceeded smoothly as planned. This mutual understanding stems from professional competence and is also rooted in the deep foundation of mutual trust between the two countries and the two militaries."
While touring downtown Qingdao, local residents proactively greeted Ilya in Russian and asked to take photos with him, and the warmth and friendliness of the public left him deeply moved. In his view, these warm scenes are a vivid embodiment of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. On this trip to Qingdao, he made a point of buying specialty tea drinks and carefully selected cosmetics and toy cars for his wife and children. He said frankly: "If I come to China again, Qingdao will still be my first choice."
Major Roman's attention was focused on the modernization of the Chinese Navy. After observing the full range of Kaifeng's drill subjects, he spoke highly of the professional competence and solid conduct of the Chinese personnel. He stated that the Chinese commanding officer was calm and experienced in command, and that the entire crew was strictly disciplined and highly skilled in their duties. At the same time, the level of modernization of Chinese naval weapons and equipment was also impressive.
Warmth was evident in the details as well, and the considerate arrangements aboard ship made Roman feel genuinely at home. "Support in all respects aboard the Kaifeng was strong, and Chinese crew members frequently came to ask about our needs—very thoughtful." The attentive and friendly care and sincere, kind attitude of the Chinese crew members built a bridge for communication and exchange between the military personnel of both sides. Roman, visiting Qingdao for the first time, also genuinely felt the city's level of high-quality development: economically prosperous, well governed, and suitable for both living and working. He looks forward to visiting Beijing in the future, to experience up close the pulse of development and the spirit of the times of China's capital.
In the eyes of the three Russian officers, Chinese-style modernization (中国式现代化) is concrete and vivid—residents on Qingdao's streets warmly posing for photos, the bustling everyday energy of the seafood market, the abundant and delicious meals aboard ship, the tactical coordination during the exercise completed efficiently with few words needed… It encompasses both the hard power of modernization and a quiet, pervasive affinity.
The exercise has concluded, and the Kaifeng is about to cast off and set sail to participate in the China-Russia maritime joint patrol. Carrying with them a new understanding of China, fond memories of Qingdao, and a friendship that transcends national borders, the three Russian officers have written a remarkable chapter in their "China story." What they witnessed in this city of mountains and sea was not only the two navies forging ahead together through the waves, but also an increasingly confident China, advancing toward modernization with an open and striving (开放奋进) bearing and resolute strides.
(PLA Daily, Qingdao, July 12)