The Sea of Dreams: A Journey through the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao, also known as the Qingdao Naval Academy, is the service academy for the navy of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. It is a place where the future naval officers and leaders are trained and educated to serve and protect the country and the people. It is a place where the dreams of the sea are nurtured and realized. In this article, I will share with you some of the aspects of this prestigious institution, from its history and admission process, to its academic programs and campus life, to its notable alumni and achievements.

History of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has a short but glorious history that dates back to 1953, when it was founded as the PLA Naval School in Shanghai. The school was the first naval school in the history of the PLA, and it was responsible for training the naval cadres and technicians for the newly established PLA Navy. The school was later renamed as the PLA Naval Academy in 1959 and moved to Qingdao, a coastal city in East China’s Shandong province, in 1960. The academy has since become the cradle of the PLA Navy, cultivating many outstanding naval officers and leaders for the country and the nation. The academy’s motto is “Loyalty, Courage, Wisdom, and Strength”, and its mission is to foster naval talents with high quality, high-skill, and high morale.

How to Gain Admission into the School

Getting into the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is not easy. It is a highly competitive and selective process that requires not only academic excellence, but also physical fitness, moral character, and leadership potential. The admission process consists of the following steps:

• Nomination: Applicants must obtain a nomination from a PLA unit, a PLA academy, or a PLA-affiliated school. Each nominator can only nominate one applicant per year.
• Examination: Applicants must pass a written examination that covers Chinese, mathematics, English, and general knowledge. The examination is held in June every year, and the results are announced in July.
• Physical Test: Applicants must pass a physical test that includes height, weight, vision, hearing, blood pressure, and urine tests, as well as a series of physical fitness exercises, such as running, swimming, and pull-ups. The physical test is held in August every year, and the results are announced in September.
• Interview: Applicants must pass an interview that evaluates their personality, motivation, communication skills, and suitability for naval service. The interview is held in October every year, and the results are announced in November.
• Final Selection: Applicants who pass all the above steps are ranked according to their scores, and the top candidates are admitted to the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao. The final selection is announced in December every year, and the new cadets report to the academy in January.

The admission rate of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is around 5%, which means that only one out of twenty applicants can make it to the academy. Therefore, applicants need to prepare well and work hard to achieve their dream of becoming a PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao cadet.

Tuition Fees

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is a public institution that is funded by the government. Therefore, there is no tuition fee for the cadets. However, cadets need to pay for their uniforms, books, and personal expenses, which amount to about RMB 10,000 (US$ 1,500) per year. Cadets also receive a monthly stipend of RMB 2,000 (US$ 300) to cover their living expenses.

2024 Current Rankings of PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is widely recognized as one of the best naval academies in the world. According to the Military Times, the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao ranked 8th among the top 20 naval academies in the world in 2020. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also ranked 2nd among the top 10 naval military academies in Asia in 2019, according to the Asian Military Review. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has also received many awards and honors for its academic excellence, research achievements, and social contributions, such as the National Quality Award, the National Teaching Excellence Award, and the National Innovation Award.

Academic Programs

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program that covers many subjects, such as naval science, engineering, management, humanities, and social sciences. The curriculum is designed to provide cadets with a comprehensive and balanced education that is essential for their future naval careers. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also offers a two-year master’s degree program and a four-year doctoral degree program for qualified officers who wish to pursue further studies in their fields of specialization.

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has seven academic departments, namely:

• Department of Naval Science: This department focuses on the theory and practice of naval operations, tactics, strategy, and leadership. It also offers courses on naval history, law, weapons, and equipment.
• Department of Engineering: This department covers various engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, nuclear, and marine engineering. It also offers naval engineering, architecture, propulsion, and automation courses.
• Department of Management: This department covers various management aspects, such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and logistics. It also offers courses on naval management, organization, decision-making, and information systems.
• Department of Humanities: This department covers various humanities fields, such as Chinese, English, literature, philosophy, and ethics. It also offers courses on naval culture, psychology, education, and communication.
• Department of Social Sciences: This department covers various fields of social sciences, such as sociology, political science, economics, and international relations. It also offers courses on naval sociology, politics, economics, and diplomacy.
• Department of Physical Education focuses on cadets’ physical fitness and health. It offers courses on physical education, sports, and martial arts. It also organizes various sports events and competitions for the cadets.
• Department of Basic Sciences: This department covers various fields of basic sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. It also offers courses on naval sciences, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also has several research centers and institutes, such as:

• Center for Naval Strategy Studies: This center conducts research and analysis on various issues related to naval strategy and security, such as maritime strategy, maritime security, maritime cooperation, and maritime disputes.
• Center for Naval Engineering Studies: This center conducts research and development on the innovation and application of naval engineering, such as naval design, naval construction, naval maintenance, and naval testing.
• Center for Naval Management Studies: This center conducts research and optimization on the improvement and efficiency of naval management, such as naval planning, naval budgeting, naval procurement, and naval auditing.
• Institute of Naval Education: This institute provides training and education for the faculty and staff of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao and other naval academies, such as teaching methods, curriculum design, and evaluation techniques.

Campus Life

Campus life at the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is both challenging and rewarding. Cadets have to follow a strict schedule and discipline, but they also have opportunities to enjoy various activities and facilities. The campus life of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao can be summarized as follows:

• Daily Routine: The daily routine of the cadets starts at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. The cadets must attend morning roll call, flag-raising ceremony, breakfast, classes, lunch, afternoon roll call, physical training, dinner, evening roll call, self-study, and lights out. The cadets also have to perform various duties and tasks, such as guard duty, cleaning duty, and drill practice.
• Military Training: The cadets’ military training consists of basic, advanced, and specialized training. The basic training covers the fundamentals of naval skills, such as drill, marksmanship, navigation, and seamanship. The advanced training covers applying naval skills, such as tactics, operations, and leadership. The specialized training covers the specific skills of each branch, such as surface warfare, submarine warfare, naval aviation, and naval special forces.
• Extracurricular Activities: The extracurricular activities of the cadets include clubs, societies, and associations, such as academic clubs, cultural clubs, sports clubs, and service clubs. The cadets can also participate in various events and competitions, such as cultural festivals, academic seminars, sports tournaments, and military exercises.
• Facilities: The facilities of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao include academic facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and auditoriums; residential facilities, such as dormitories, cafeterias, and laundry rooms; recreational facilities, such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and stadiums; and historical facilities, such as museums, monuments, and memorials.

Athletics

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has a strong tradition and reputation in athletics. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has several varsity teams that compete in various sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and track and field. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also has several intramural teams that compete among themselves, such as company, platoon, and squad teams. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also

• Facilities: The facilities of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao include academic facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and auditoriums; residential facilities, such as dormitories, cafeterias, and laundry rooms; recreational facilities, such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and stadiums; and historical facilities, such as museums, monuments, and memorials.

Athletics

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has a strong tradition and reputation in athletics. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has several varsity teams that compete in various sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and track and field. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also has several intramural teams that compete among themselves, such as company, platoon, and squad teams. The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao also hosts and participates in several sports events and competitions, such as the Naval Academy Games, the Naval Academy Cup, and the Naval Academy Invitational.

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao values athletics as an important part of the cadet’s development. Athletics not only improve the physical fitness and health of the cadets, but also cultivate the spirit of teamwork, sportsmanship, and excellence. Athletics also give the cadets a break from the academic and military pressures, and a chance to have fun and relax.

Notable Alumni

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has produced many notable alumni who have significantly contributed to the navy, the society, and the nation. Some of the most famous alumni include:

• Liu Huaqing: He was the commander of the PLA Navy from 1982 to 1988, and the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 1997. He was also a senior military officer who graduated from the PLA Naval Academy in 1954. He played a key role in the modernization and expansion of the PLA Navy, and advocated for a blue-water navy strategy and a maritime power vision.
• Zhang Dingfa: He was the commander of the PLA Navy from 2003 to 2006, and the member of the Central Military Commission from 2004 to 2007. He was also a distinguished naval officer who graduated from the PLA Naval Academy in 1965. He oversaw the development and deployment of the PLA Navy’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and the PLA Navy’s first nuclear submarines, the Type 094 and the Type 093.
• Wu Shengli: He was the commander of the PLA Navy from 2006 to 2017, and the member of the Central Military Commission from 2007 to 2017. He was also a renowned naval officer who graduated from the PLA Naval Academy in 1966. He led the PLA Navy’s rapid growth and transformation and enhanced its capabilities and presence in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
• Shen Jinlong: He is the current commander of the PLA Navy since 2017 and the member of the Central Military Commission since 2017. He is also a respected naval officer who graduated from the PLA Naval Academy in 1982. He is responsible for the PLA Navy’s operations and missions. He oversees the PLA Navy’s second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, and the PLA Navy’s newest destroyers, the Type 055 and the Type 052D.

Conclusion

The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao is a remarkable institution that has shaped the history and destiny of the PLA Navy and China. It is a place where the future naval officers and leaders are trained and educated to serve and protect the country and the people. It is a place where the dreams of the sea are nurtured and realized. It is a place where I am proud to call myself a cadet and an alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions that people may have about the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao:

• Q: How many cadets are there in the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao?
• A: The PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao has about 3,000 cadets, divided into four classes and 12 companies.
• Q: What are the requirements to graduate from the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao?
• A: The cadets must complete the four-year academic program, pass the military training and physical tests, and fulfill the service obligation of ten years in the PLA Navy.
• Q: What are the benefits of graduating from the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao?
• A: The graduates of the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao enjoy many benefits, such as a guaranteed commission as a lieutenant in the PLA Navy, a prestigious diploma that many universities and employers recognize, and a lifelong network of fellow alumni and mentors.
• Q: What are the challenges of studying in the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao?
• A: The cadets face many challenges, such as a rigorous and demanding curriculum, a strict and disciplined lifestyle, and a high level of competition and pressure. The cadets must also cope with the isolation and separation from their families and friends, and the uncertainty and danger of their future naval careers.
• Q: What are the opportunities of studying in the PLA Naval Academy of Qingdao?
• A: The cadets have many opportunities, such as learning from the best faculty and staff, accessing state-of-the-art facilities and resources, participating in diverse and enriching activities and events, and experiencing the unique and rewarding culture and tradition. The cadets also have the opportunity to serve and protect their country and people, and to make a difference in the world.