ID :
201609
Tue, 08/16/2011 - 12:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201609
The shortlink copeid
Prepare for China's ushering in 'aircraft carrier age'
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- China has completed the trial voyage of its first aircraft carrier last week. China's media said the refitted former Soviet carrier Varyag returned its shipyard at Dalian Port in northeast Liaoning Province after a four-day trial run on Sunday.
China is also reportedly negotiating with Ukraine for the purchase of an aircraft carrier engine to be used for its second aircraft carrier. Foreign reports also said China is positively seeking to bid for a retired aircraft carrier the United Kingdom has put on sale. Beijing is also building two locally-developed nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for completion by 2020. All these reports show that China is moving to usher in the age of an ocean-going navy led by aircraft carriers.
Although the Chinese defense ministry said the new aircraft carrier will be used for scientific research, experiments and training, the expansion of China's naval power alarms some Asian countries that have territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea. China claims the entire sea as its own, while Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan maintain partial or overlapping claims. China's "aircraft carrier age" is not something that South Korea can ignore, since China is just across the West Sea.
China's entry into the aircraft carrier age is an expression of its intention to increase its naval force to a level equivalent to its economic status. The country has pursued military buildup steadily, including the development of stealth fighters, strengthening of naval power with development of nuclear submarines and missile weapons.
Besides the symbolic purpose of demonstrating its naval power to the world, China also aims to safeguard marine transportation routes for its ships. China depends on marine transportation for 95 percent of its crude oil imports and 99 percent of mineral resources imports. Territorial disputes with regional countries over the South China Sea also motivated the country to build an aircraft carrier.
The government has not made any official response to China's new aircraft carrier, only saying that the two countries have agreed that the South Korean island of Iodo, south of Jeju Island, is not a region of territorial dispute. The government, however, should not sit idle but take a closer look and prepare for future developments. It is unpredictable what action the Chinese aircraft carrier will take when a military collision between South Korea and North Korea, whose sole ally is China, takes place in the West Sea.
The country should strengthen its naval forces and joint deterrence capability with the U.S.
Also the government should spread defense diplomacy and increase military cooperation with China. While making good preparations militarily, the government also is advised to make flexible and wise diplomatic efforts.
China is also reportedly negotiating with Ukraine for the purchase of an aircraft carrier engine to be used for its second aircraft carrier. Foreign reports also said China is positively seeking to bid for a retired aircraft carrier the United Kingdom has put on sale. Beijing is also building two locally-developed nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for completion by 2020. All these reports show that China is moving to usher in the age of an ocean-going navy led by aircraft carriers.
Although the Chinese defense ministry said the new aircraft carrier will be used for scientific research, experiments and training, the expansion of China's naval power alarms some Asian countries that have territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea. China claims the entire sea as its own, while Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan maintain partial or overlapping claims. China's "aircraft carrier age" is not something that South Korea can ignore, since China is just across the West Sea.
China's entry into the aircraft carrier age is an expression of its intention to increase its naval force to a level equivalent to its economic status. The country has pursued military buildup steadily, including the development of stealth fighters, strengthening of naval power with development of nuclear submarines and missile weapons.
Besides the symbolic purpose of demonstrating its naval power to the world, China also aims to safeguard marine transportation routes for its ships. China depends on marine transportation for 95 percent of its crude oil imports and 99 percent of mineral resources imports. Territorial disputes with regional countries over the South China Sea also motivated the country to build an aircraft carrier.
The government has not made any official response to China's new aircraft carrier, only saying that the two countries have agreed that the South Korean island of Iodo, south of Jeju Island, is not a region of territorial dispute. The government, however, should not sit idle but take a closer look and prepare for future developments. It is unpredictable what action the Chinese aircraft carrier will take when a military collision between South Korea and North Korea, whose sole ally is China, takes place in the West Sea.
The country should strengthen its naval forces and joint deterrence capability with the U.S.
Also the government should spread defense diplomacy and increase military cooperation with China. While making good preparations militarily, the government also is advised to make flexible and wise diplomatic efforts.
