China has launched the first ship in a new class of stealth missile frigates, according to the official Xinhua News Agency and the navy's official website. The People's Liberation Army Navy is building a total of 20 Type 056 Jiangdao class frigates to replace older models and bolster its ability to conduct patrols and escort ships and submarines in waters in the South China and East China seas. The first in the class, No. 582, was formally delivered to the navy on Monday in Shanghai, which is home to one of the country's largest complexes of naval shipyards. Newly promoted navy commander Wu Shengli attended the delivery ceremony.
