Pékin annonce officieusement que son 3e porte-avions sera prêt pour 2021 bfmtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bfmtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Chinese navy is expanding its warship fleet as its responsibilities and ambitions grow.
Dozens of destroyers and frigates are thought to be in the works, but it will take more than hardware to make the plan work, observers say.
It is an aggressive plan and if it works out, China will have a fleet of battleships to match its ambitions for a blue-water navy over the next decade.
As part of that plan, in 2019 alone, China launched two dozen large warships, from destroyers to huge amphibious landing docks and corvettes. And more are on the way.
The aim is to have a fleet that can guard its growing number of aircraft carriers and its interests around the world, including oil lifelines from the Middle East and its outposts in the contested South China Sea.
It is an aggressive plan and if it works out, China will have a fleet of battleships to match its ambitions for a blue-water navy over the next decade.
As part of that plan, in 2019 alone, China launched two dozen large warships, from destroyers to huge amphibious landing docks and corvettes.
And more are on the way.
Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.
The aim is to have a fleet that can guard its growing number of aircraft carriers and its interests around the world, including oil lifelines from the Middle East and its outposts in the contested South China Sea.