I wasn't saying that China has a "Big Navy Policy" but rather that was a rhetorical question to know why are we hearing about so few decommissionings in the PLAN.
Just because we don't hear about them doesn't mean they don't happen.
Even in the mid to late 90s, the bulk of the PLAN fleet were made up of light frigates like the Jiangweis, and sub chasers/missile boats.
The bulk of those ships have already been decommissioned or transferred to civilian agencies and being replaced by the PLAN's new heavier ships.
The PLAN has also retired most of its old Luda 051 DDGs, and the remaining few should follow in the years ahead.
So old ships are being decommissioned and retired fairly regularly, its just that since Chinese military watching is largely reliant on local enthusiasts reporting, we are often at the mercy of the tastes and whims of those same enthusiasts.
They tend to like the newer, cooler, high profile stuff, so focus mostly on new builds and developments, with few people really bothered enough to take note of less interesting things like decommissioning or even older active types.
I honestly cannot see what angle you are trying to work with this line of questioning. Are you hinting at some secret conspiracy where the PLAN is assembling a secret fleet somewhere comprising of hopelessly outdated and ages ships that really should be retired? For what purpose?
