by Ben Blanchard (Reuters) China’s Defense Ministry on Friday denied U.S. accusations that the Chinese military had recently carried out missile tests in the disputed South China Sea, saying instead that they had held routine drills that involved the firing of live ammunition. The Pentagon said on Tuesday the missile launch was “disturbing” and contrary to Chinese … [Read more...]
Analysts Say Satellite Images Show China’s Construction on Third, Larger Aircraft Carrier
By Greg Torode and Ben Blanchard HONG KONG/BEIJING May 7(Reuters) - Construction of China's first full-sized aircraft carrier is well under way, according to satellite images obtained and analyzed by a U.S. think tank. The images from April, provided to Reuters by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, reveal considerable recent activity … [Read more...]
China’s Vast Fleet is Tipping the Balance of Power in the Pacific
By David Lague and Benjamin Kang Lim TAIPEI, April 30 (Reuters) - A generation ago, from mid-1995 into early 1996, China lobbed missiles in the waters around Taiwan as the self-governing island prepared to hold its first fully democratic presidential election. Washington forcefully intervened to support its ally, sending two aircraft carrier battle groups to patrol nearby. … [Read more...]
Special Report: New Missile Gap Leaves U.S. Scrambling to Counter China
By David Lague and Benjamin Kang Lim ZHUHAI, China, April 25 (Reuters) - China's powerful military is considered to be a master at concealing its intentions. But there is no secret about how it plans to destroy American aircraft carriers if rivalry becomes war. At November's biennial air show in the southern city of Zhuhai, the biggest state-owned missile maker, China … [Read more...]
China Shows Off New Destroyer During Major Naval Parade
By Ben Blanchard QINGDAO, China, April 23 (Reuters) - China showed off the first of its new generation of guided missile destroyers on Tuesday as President Xi Jinping reviewed a major naval parade through mist and rain to mark 70 years since the founding of China's navy. Xi is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by developing everything … [Read more...]