Images From July 30th 2017; People's Liberation Army's 90th Anniversary Celebrated in China as Navy Day is Celebrated Across Russia

Formed in 1927 to reunify a long divided China, the People's Liberation Army has evolved a great deal over 90 years. Perhaps its most iconic and feat was its performance during the Korean War, where it was the first Chinese fighting force in well over a century to successfully confront a modern Western military, the combined forces of the United States, Britain, France, Australia and Turkey among others. The PLA today celebrates 90 years since its formation. 

Since the mid-1990s, following the end of the Cold War and the renewed threat of regime change efforts from the Western bloc, China's military was spurred to rapidly modernize its capabilities. The country acquired numerous technologies from the cash-strapped former USSR and advanced its capabilities from a basic land based defence force with the aim of becoming a modern fighting force. As of 2017 the PLA's modernisation has made it one of the world's most potent fighting forces, and this has been accompanied by the growth of a modern defence industry capable of providing for the country's needs. Among the weapons displayed at the military parade on the PLA's anniversary were fifth generation J-20 air superiority fighters, the world's only stealth fighters outside the United States, as well as 'carrier killer' the DF-21D anti-ship missiles and DF-31AG intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the United States mainland. With modernisation set to continue, the PLA could well emerge as the world's foremost military force by its 100th anniversary. 

While China celebrated the anniversary of its military, in Russia celebrations were held celebrating the country's Naval forces - with over 100 ships taking part in celebrations across the country. A formidable display of Russian sea power took place across the country for Navy Day, while celebrations also took place at Russia's Mediterranean Naval base in Syria.