The formation ceremony of a new navy fleet was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Sept. 26. (Photo/WeChat of Tiexuejiandui)

A formation ceremony for a new navy fleet was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Sept. 26. Within the new fleet is China's first sailing training ship, "Polang."

The fleet is responsible for maintaining naval culture, instructing naval officers on sailing and carrying out international military exchanges. The ship is numbered “86,” and its name, “Polang,” means to brave the wind and have high ambitions. The ship is 85 meters long, 11 meters wide, with 1,200 tons of standard displacement. It is capable of accommodating 50 naval students at a time.

An effect drawing of "Polang" (Photo/Guangzhou Shipyard International Company)

The construction of Polang began in May 2016, and was carried out by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company. The ship will be completed in 18 months, and will set sail by the end of 2017. At present, Polang's future staff has already been selected.

The ship will be used mainly by naval academy students to conduct trainings in mast climbing, sailing, navigation and more. Hou Zhixin, the first political commissar of Polang, emphasized that the classic type of training Polang facilitates is essential and irreplaceable for naval students.

The formation ceremony of a new navy fleet was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Sept. 26. (Photo/WeChat of Tiexuejiandui)