CHINA COMMISSIONS THREE WARSHIPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

Chinese media on Sunday reported that the country’s navy has commissioned three warships, including a large amphibious assault ship, adding them to the fleet covering the South China Sea.

State-run China Central Television reported that the commissioning ceremony was held at a naval port in Sanya on the southern island of Hainan on Friday, with President Xi Jinping attending, reported NHK World. Xi reportedly presented a military flag to the ships’ captains and boarded the ships.

This is yet another illegal intrusion by Beijing. Military observers said the ship may also be deployed in missions around Taiwan but is likely to cause particular concern among countries that have ongoing maritime disputes with China due to its offensive capabilities.

The Global Times, which is affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, reported that the ships were the country’s first Type 075 amphibious assault ship, a large destroyer, and a nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarine.

Observers say it represents the rapid development of the capabilities of the Chinese navy, as well as Beijing’s readiness to expand its activities in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, reported NHK World.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing’s concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.

Earlier, the US and the Philippines raised concerns over the presence of China’s maritime militia vessels near the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. Beijing’s rising assertiveness against counter claimants in the East and South Sea has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific.