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Chinese carrier may worry neighbours: US
A future Chinese aircraft carrier may worry neighbouring navies because Beijing has not specified what role the warship would play in the region, the US chief of Naval Operations said.
A future Chinese aircraft carrier may worry neighbouring navies because Beijing has not specified what role the warship would play in the region, the US chief of Naval Operations said.
China, meanwhile, said yesterday that a more powerful navy would not pose a threat as it mulls adding its first aircraft carrier to an increasingly sophisticated fleet.
The show was part of celebrations for the Chinese navy's 60th anniversary.
Long a goal of Chinese military planners, a carrier would bring much desired prestige to China’s navy and could embolden it in asserting Chinese territorial claims, particularly in the South China Sea, analysts say.
A carrier would also better allow Beijing to defend sea lanes crucial for the safe passage of trade and natural resources.
“If it is not clear what the intent is of the use of an aircraft carrier, I would say that it may cause concern with some of the regional navies and nations," Roughead told reporters in Qingdao where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Adm Wu Shengli.
