ZHOUSHAN, Zhejiang Province, Feb. 24 -- A new missile frigate named Xiangtan was commissioned by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on Wednesday in the east China island city of Zhoushan.

Xiangtan is a new-generation missile frigates designed and made by China. With the hull number 531, Xiangtan is 140 meters long and 16 meters wide, and its displacement is more than 4,000 tonnes.

The missile frigate is one of PLAN's new generation main battle warships. It can attack enemy ships and submarines alone or in coordination with other naval forces. It has strong remote surveillance and anti-aircraft combat abilities.

Dong Qian, captain of Xiangtan, said the crew mastered the skills needed to control the frigate during more than a year of training and completed a trial voyage.

The frigate was named after the city of Xiangtan, Hunan Province.