The navy plans to develop a new generation of warships and aircraft as part of the country's effort to upgrade the maritime security defense system, the service's commander-in-chief said yesterday.

Admiral Wu Shengli outlined key missions, present and future, in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Chinese navy next Thursday.

Such an interview with a high-ranking military officer is rare, military sources said yesterday, adding that the message conveyed by the navy chief reflects key thinking on the navy's strategy.