Sep 26, 2024
Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses Trump’s handling of China during his presidency, China-linked hackers allegedly hitting U.S. internet providers and GOP senators trying to curb the country’s influence on the west.
The Pentagon confirmed a report that a Chinese submarine sank earlier this year, and it’s unclear if the vessel was carrying nuclear fuel.
The Chinese submarine sank at pier-side, according to a Pentagon spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The person offered no other detail about the incident.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Thursday that China’s newest nuclear-powered submarine sank in May or June at a shipyard in the inland city of Wuhan. The Journal cited experts as saying it was likely the sub was carrying nuclear fuel at the time.
The sinking marks a major setback for China’s military-modernization plans, including its ambitions to outmatch the US as a seagoing power. China continues to ramp up military spending — the defense budget was set to grow by 7.2% in 2024 — with a focus on building out its navy.
The Journal said China scrambled to cover up the sinking, which hadn’t been previously disclosed. On Wednesday, the Pentagon had praised China for its transparency for giving advanced notification of a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
China’s naval force operates 12 nuclear-powered submarines and 48 diesel-powered submarines, the Pentagon said in an October assessment of China’s military. The country is on pace to have 65 submarines by 2025.
China says it carried out a rare test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into international waters, sparking protests from neighbouring countries.
The launch on Wednesday – its first in more than 40 years – was “routine” and not aimed at any country or target, according to Beijing. Chinese media reported the government also gave “relevant countries” notice.
But Japan said it had not received a warning and expressed concerns, along with Australia and New Zealand.
The launch contributes to tensions across the Indo-Pacific region, with analysts saying it highlights China’s increased long-range nuclear capabilities.
The US warned last year that China has built up its nuclear arsenal as part of a defence upgrade. An intercontinental ballistic missile can travel more 5,500km – putting China within striking range of the US mainland and Hawaii.
But Beijing’s arsenal is still estimated at less than a fifth of the size of the US’s and Russia’s, and China has long maintained that its nuclear maintainance is only about deterrence.
www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gl843l90zo
China releases photo of rare ICBM test in Pacific
China releases photo of rare ICBM test in Pacific t.co/h3qQox3ytw
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) September 26, 2024
🇨🇳 China is Flexing…
🚀 Just launched its first full test of its longest range ICBM in 44 years.
Nothing to see here…we just keep poking the bear while Sleepy Joe works on his tan. pic.twitter.com/KJxTOefAag— Still🏝️Roaming (@roaming_rn) September 25, 2024
🚨China's newest Nuclear Power attack submarine sinks in Dockyard pic.twitter.com/P0u9ECPllW
— Alpha Defense™ (@alpha_defense) September 26, 2024
#BREAKING China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank in the spring, WSJ reports.
The incident was covered up.
It occurred at a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June. pic.twitter.com/iRI5vx4P0W
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 26, 2024
h/t Digital mix guy Spock