China launched a grand maritime ceremony Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of its navy off the coast of the eastern city of Qingdao.

The four-day celebration includes seminars, a sampan race and a fleet review scheduled for Thursday that will feature the debut of the country's nuclear submarines.

China invited senior naval officers from 29 countries Wednesday to three People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels on the sidelines of a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy. [Xinhua]

A total of 21 foreign naval vessels from 14 countries, including the United States and Russia, and delegations from 29 countries will take part.

According to Ding Yiping, deputy commander of the PLA Navy, the celebration was the first large multi-lateral military exchange of its kind in the history of the People's Republic of China.

Naval forces from different countries had voiced support for China's call to seek mutual trust and benefits, and resolve disputes on the basis of equal consultations and negotiations, he said.

Their support would help build harmony on the seas, the theme of this year's celebration, he said.

Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, also said that the PLA and U.S. navies had much potential for cooperation in international humanitarian aid and joint maritime rescues in the West Pacific.

"I believe any time one can address problems cooperatively, it makes for a more harmonious outcome. That's why I look forward to continue to work with the PLA Navy," Roughead told Xinhua at a naval symposium held in Qingdao.

"I think navies are good opportunities to advance military-to-military relations as part of an overall relationship between nations," he said.