An exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China opened in Beijing on Monday at which declassified materials, such as research papers on atomic weapons and satellites, were put on display.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony.

"The exhibition showcases the development of the PLA after the foundation of New China," Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at the opening ceremony.

The exhibits include missiles and models of the country's first atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb. And a manually-operated mechanical computer, which was used in the research and development of atomic weapons, was on public view for the first time.

Advanced military weaponry is on display, including new types of ground-to-ground missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, fighter aircraft and new logistic outfits.

Other attractions include a punch bag pummeled by the late chairman Mao Zedong when he watched a military competition, the first national and army flags raised by the PLA Hong Kong and Macao troops and items belonging to army martyrs and heroes.

Visitors can experience driving warships and tanks at the exhibition which runs from July 16 to August 20 and is free of charge.

The exhibition displays a total of 970 pictures and 1,750 army exhibits on a total area of 6,540 square meters at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution.

Aug. 1 this year marks the PLA's 80th anniversary.