From Somalia to the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca, Beijing is increasingly seeking to project naval power, a sharp break from its traditional, narrower strategy of patrolling the Chinese coast. Military leaders in China maintain that the Chinese navy is purely a self-defense force, but this definition has now expanded to encompass broad maritime and economic interests. "With our naval strategy changing now, we are going from coastal defense to far sea defense," Rear Adm. Zhang Huachen, deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, said in an interview with Xinhua, the state news agency. According to experts, the Chinese navy receives more than one-third of the country's overall military budget, reflecting the priority Beijing places on maintaining open sea lanes for resources and manufacturing as a vital element of national security.
Above, Chinese sailors wave goodbye before heading to the Gulf of Aden on Feb. 21 in Zhoushan. The 8th Chinese Naval Escort Fleet, which consists of two missile frigates -- the Ma'anshan and Wenzhou -- left for Somali waters to protect merchant ships from rampant piracy in the area. The two ships will be joined by the Qiandaohu, a supply ship that is already patrolling the waters with the 7th Escort Fleet.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images
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MUTT3003
1:26 PM ET
June 4, 2011
Pah-lease..
Aren't military equipment companies overflowing enough with our tax dollars. Do we really need a Cold War II. Wasn't the first one shown to be a colossal waste. I mean c'mon. We have such an enormous naval fleet that it's not glacial or polar ice melting that is causing the the oceans to rise.
CAMIO
7:01 AM ET
June 5, 2011
Good point. China threat is
Good point. China threat is just an excuse for US to promote weapon sales, both domestically and internationally.
SHARMI
9:04 AM ET
June 5, 2011
Ship
Now all are ready....
It seems to Ready.....
Epub Conversion
SONIABROWN
3:10 PM ET
June 5, 2011
Too complicated
Today's cyber technologies enlarge the war games from spies above our heads well beyond binocular eyes, long distant land surveillances and much smarter naval contingents of frigates like a superior spider's web. China should adopt century old spider's wisdom with its complex web of communications, attacking, retaliating and countering attack tactics within its webs of influence. Whereas by going beyond its zone of web control, just like USA's navy is doing right now is a dead end venture indeed for YOU can't tell if Japan, S Korea, Vietnam & China's Taiwan will get to its help in time of actual confrontation in real term when cannons are running red hot karmaloop codes. The nationals of "depending nations to help" may turn against their own political ideas and ideal wishes as many had fought long long long wars against the invading USA & NATO; that is, sentiments of people will change when shits really hit the fences which is called "awakening". Hence, carriers can't rely on others to replenish at will and at all times!
ALEX CHAN
5:59 AM ET
June 6, 2011
Invent and be killed
I am flattered by the creations and inventions by our own human hands, but it is also with these creations and inventions that's causing world wars and possible of "cold war II" quote from Matt3003.
I understand that China believes that its time now to take over the world, and with 1/3 of national savings, it is well enough to kill US numerous times. What I do not understand is that, when Countries like China invest/ pours money into military equipments, but does not use them, overflowing the storage, is practically a waste. I understand that these equipments are there to testify the power and money China has, but does it really have to get to this stage to show and prove power?
This would increases the threat to citizens causing anxiety.
I dont know, I just believe that no matter how much of these equipments one country has, one natural disaster kills all.
Peace world,
Juno @ Ovarian Cyst Cures
TREDOC1
2:45 AM ET
June 8, 2011
Ok,ok
Dear Mr.Chan,
I am a normal student from China.
I have read your comments on the website of FP
I really hope I can tell you some realities about China.
Chinese do have the desire to get rich, to live better and happier, but at least I do not want to rule the world.
The photos of weapons and army are rarely seen in China, and few people have interest about it.
What's more ,the weapons you have seen are things US has had for decades .
.
If you want to learn more about China, I hope you can contact with me. Thank you.
Yours,
Tom
JOEAVERAGE
8:27 PM ET
June 10, 2011
Hey Tom.
Tom, I'm an American and I don't want to take over the world either but my government ignores my opinion and does whatever they choose to do. I am confident that the Chinese gov't will ignore most of their citizens as well.
What I fear is our gov't might go bankrupt trying to keep up with the Chinese military when we could do so much better with cooperation and good will. Time for the nice guys to go to the head of the line and put the military in storage.
TREDOC1
12:05 AM ET
June 18, 2011
That's the point
We should try our best to make the world more peaceful and better.
A. M. BUONGIOVANNI
2:51 PM ET
June 9, 2011
Wrong caption
The sub on page 14 is not a Kilo, but a much older Russian design (an F o R class)
TIMIKA134
3:08 AM ET
July 2, 2011
Beijing's Blue-Water Navy
Is China building an empire on the sea? Dear Mr.Chan, I am a normal student from China. I have read your comments on the website of FP I really hope I can tell you some realities about China. Chinese do have the desire to get rich, to live better and happier, but at least I do not want to rule the world. The photos of weapons and army are rarely seen in China, and few people have interest about it. What's more ,the weapons you have seen symbian spy software Tom, I'm an American and I don't want to take over the world either but my government ignores my opinion and does whatever they choose to do. I am confident that the Chinese gov't will ignore most of their citizens as well. What I fear is our gov't might go bankrupt trying to keep up with the Chinese military when we could do so much better with cooperation and good will. Time for the nice guys to.
MARTINCDL
6:11 AM ET
July 3, 2011
Well
China should adopt century old spider's wisdom with its complex web of communications, attacking, retaliating and countering attack tactics within its webs of influence. Whereas by going beyond its zone of web control, just like USA's navy cdl is doing right now is a dead end venture indeed for YOU can't tell if Japan, S Korea, Vietnam & China's Taiwan will get to its help in time of actual confrontation in real term when cannons are running red hot karmaloop codes.
ELI
8:50 PM ET
July 3, 2011
Beijing is increasingly
Beijing is increasingly seeking to project naval power, a sharp break from its traditional, narrower strategy of patrolling the Chinese coast. Military leaders in China maintain that the Chinese navy is purely a self-defense force, but this definition has now expanded to encompass broad maritime and economic interests. "With our naval strategy changing now, we are going from coastal defense to far sea defense," Rear Adm. Zhang Huachen, deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, said in an interview with Xinhua, the state news agency. Search for finance career sydneyAccording to experts, the Chinese navy receives more than one-third of the country's overall military budget, reflecting the priority Beijing places on maintaining open sea lanes for resources and manufacturing as a vital element of national security.