Britannia Radio

China Confidential

Thursday, April 23, 2009

 

Rising China Shows Off a More Menacing Navy

China is showing off its growing maritime muscle while assuring the world that it does not seek "hegemony." Click here for the Reuters report.

The Economist reports:

Among the vessels inspected by President Hu Jintao from on board a Chinese-made destroyer were two nuclear-powered submarines. China’s official press identified them as a Xia-class ballistic-missile submarine and a Han-class attack submarine. These are not China’s very latest models, but showing them at all was rare.

China is coy about its submarines. Foreign military officials attending the regatta toured a Song-class diesel-electric submarine. The Song has been in use since the 1990s, but it was the first time that some of these officials, despite repeated requests, had been allowed inside one. China has said nothing about its new Jin-class submarines armed with long-range nuclear missiles. The Pentagon reported that the first of these had been deployed.

Sky News notes:

The Northern Pacific region has traditionally been part of the US's security umbrella and the growing strength of the Chinese Navy poses a potential challenge in these waters.

There is also concern about possible plans for the construction of China's first aircraft carrier that would vastly increase the reach of China's fleet.

US Navy Chief, Admiral Gary Roughead - present at today's celebrations - has warned that China's neighbours are worried.
"If it is not clear what the intent of the use of the aircraft carrier is, I would say that it may cause concern with some of the regional navies and nations," he said.