Top China destroyer Party committee hailed as 'Role Model of the Time'

The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Sunday awarded the prestigious "Role Model of the Time" title to the Party committee of the CNS Nanchang, the country's first Type 055 guided-missile destroyer.

The recognition highlights the Nanchang's exemplary performance in pushing for combat readiness and successfully completing over 10 major missions.

"Under the leadership of its Party committee, the Nanchang crew has set new records in the PLA Navy's history and earned numerous accolades for its outstanding service," the department stated.

Commissioned in 2020, the Nanchang has logged over 100,000 nautical miles and engaged in maritime interactions with foreign vessels on multiple occasions, demonstrating its operational capabilities.

Developed by China State Shipbuilding Corp, the Type 055 is the nation's most potent destroyer class, boasting a displacement exceeding 12,000 tons and armed with advanced air-defense, anti-missile, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land-attack weaponry.

The warship's 112 vertical launching cells can fire various missiles, including China's long-range cruise missiles. Its firepower is estimated to be double that of the previous flagship Type 052D destroyer.

Currently, eight Type 055 destroyers are in service, playing a crucial role in protecting China's aircraft carrier battle groups and bolstering the PLA Navy's capabilities.