China’s navy has commissioned a new-generation frigate as competition rises with the US and other regional powers, saying the ship will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness” of its forces.

The first Type 054B frigate, christened the Luohe, was commissioned Wednesday in Qingdao, a port city in northern China where the PLAN’s northern fleet is based

China commissioned its first Type 054B guided-missile frigate in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Wednesday morning, according to the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Amid escalating competition with the US and regional powers, China's navy has commissioned a next-generation frigate, saying the ship will play an important role in "enhancing the overall combat effectiveness" of its forces. China boasts the world's largest navy by hull count, although its technological advancements often face scrutiny.

AKA Taiwan's Navy, may be lacking in their submarine capabilities, but as of recent, the island nation has been stepping up on its fleet of frigates, with newer and more advanced models.