Type 056 is our littoral combatant vessel, also known as light frigates, it has been rolled out by big numbers without too much notice.
056 and 054A
New Reconnaissance Gathering Vessels with 054A
Type 056 can be used to conduct patrol missions and fleet assistance missions, it has a comparatively strong air defense capacity, no anti-sub hulls has been spotted yet but rumored existing.
Fitting stage, with more and more of these ship roll out, PLAN retired many older versions of frigates and patrol ship, many of them were reenlisted as maritime surveillance ship.
Pictures are taken in July 2012, these ship are believed have already entered active service.
and more are on the way