The defining feature of the 21st century has been the remarkable rise of China. In the four decades since Deng Xiao Ping initiated the Four modernisations, its northward trajectory has been so staggering that even though it is now the second largest economy in the world, its growth rate of over 6% is considered slow.
Cold War 2.0, Indo-Pacific, India, Chinese naval, Chinese naval expansion, china, PLA, xi jinping, Belt and Road Initiative
The defining feature of the 21st century has been the remarkable rise of China.
The Naval expansion is reflected in the Chinese to establish control over port network extending from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean and into Europe, says Commodore Anil Jai Singh, (retd), Vice President Indian Maritime Foundation
The Naval expansion is reflected in the Chinese to establish control over port network extending from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean and into Europe, says Commodore Anil Jai Singh, (retd), Vice President Indian Maritime Foundation
The defining feature of the 21st century has been the remarkable rise of China. In the four decades since Deng Xiao Ping initiated the Four modernisations, its northward trajectory has been so staggering that even though it is now the second largest economy in the world, its growth rate of over 6% is considered slow. This unprecedented rise has been largely anchored on China’s economic power which is now being complemented by an increase in China’s military strength with the focus being on its navy also called the PLA(Navy). The country is also well on its way to achieving the milestone set out by President-for-life Xi Jinping of becoming the global numero uno by 2049.
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This period has also witnessed the metamorphosis of the PLA(Navy) from a brown water antiquated force into a powerful blue water navy with full spectrum capability to project power well beyond its shores. In the last two decades itself, the PLA(N) has inducted about 150 ships and over 50 submarines with contemporary technology, thereby not only replacing its obsolete platforms but greatly augmenting its capability, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Reports indicate that this ‘Mahanian’ approach to the pursuit of global great power status through maritime supremacy is continuing unabated and over 20 ships and submarines are planned to be commissioned every year. These include aircraft carriers, nuclear and conventional submarines, state-of-the-art destroyers and frigates, large amphibious ships, underway replenishment ships and various other kinds of small and large vessels. China also has a powerful Coast Guard and a maritime militia comprising armed fishing boats.