Xinhua – Navy admiral: China to develop sophisticated marine weapon systems

Large surface combat ships, supersonic cruise aircraft, high-speed intelligent torpedoes … These are a few sophisticated marine weapons China plans to build.

US Naval Institute – Chinese Develop Special “Kill Weapon” to Destroy U.S. Aircraft Carriers

With tensions already rising due to the Chinese navy becoming more aggressive in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy seems to have yet another reason to be deeply concerned. After years of conjecture, details have begun to emerge of a “kill weapon” developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers.

(Special thanks to TH for the pointer to this)

Defense and the National Interest – Tactics Over Strategy Again?

Bill Lind’s analysis of the recent run in between the U.S. surveillance ship Impeccable and the Chinese Navy.

AFP – China tells Japan it wants aircraft carrier

China will not remain the world’s only major nation without an aircraft carrier indefinitely, state press Monday cited the nation’s defence minister as telling his Japanese counterpart.

Foreign Policy – China wages maritime “lawfare”

China’s bold and dangerous maneuvers against the USNS Impeccable, a U.S. Navy military survey vessel that was operating about 120 km from the island of Hainan in the East China Sea, is the latest salvo in China’s ongoing campaign to upset traditional notions of freedom of navigation in order to deny access to its coastal waters, or littorals, by foreign warships and aircraft. The event marks the first test of the Obama administration regarding China’s efforts to reshape the international law of the sea.

The Times – Analysis: so much more than a naval water fight

If the nightmare scenario of a superpower war in Asia were to materialise, the South China Sea could be where it all starts

New York Times – China says U.S. provoked naval incident

China lashed out at the United States on Tuesday, blaming a U.S. Navy ship for violating international law during a tense confrontation near a Chinese submarine base.

Washington Post – China Derides Account By U.S. of Ship Dispute

BBC – Chinese ships ‘harass’ US vessel

Five Chinese ships have manoeuvred dangerously close to an unarmed US navy surveillance vessel in the South China Sea.

Washington Post – China Draws U.S. Protest Over Shadowing of Ships

Virginian Pilot – Harassment just latest Chinese challenge to Navy ships

Associated Press – China to renew Somalia anti-piracy mission

China’s navy will renew an anti-piracy mission to the Gulf of Aden when the current commitment expires in the coming months.

China Daily – Chinese navy again escorts Taiwan ship off Somalia

The Chinese navy Wednesday began a 550-nautical-mile escort mission for a Taiwan ship and four other ships through Somali waters to protect them against pirate attacks.

Associated Press – China navy to stage sail-past celebration next month amid aircraft carrier speculation

China’s navy is planning major celebrations for its 60th anniversary next month, official media reported Friday, amid rising speculation over a possible announcement of plans to build an aircraft carrier.

China Daily – Build aircraft carriers soon

Military deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) yesterday urged the government to start work on building aircraft carriers, saying the defense strategy was “necessary”.

AFP – US, China consider naval pact

The US commander in the Pacific said China and the United States have started work on an agreement designed to avoid an accidental confrontation at sea.

Washington Times – China tries American ‘soft power’ with hospital ship

China’s military has a new weapon in the country’s soft-power arsenal that copies a technique long used by the United States – a 10,000-ton hospital ship to be deployed for humanitarian purposes in Asia and beyond.

The vessel, dubbed Ship 866, is meant to soften China’s image overseas and allay concerns among its neighbors over its navy´s growing strength, while at the same time adding to its military capabilities.

DefenseTech – China Seriously Considering Carriers

Norman Polmar summarizes the latest Chinese statements on acquiring aircraft carriers.

Wall Street Journal – Beijing Considers Upgrades to Navy

China’s top military spokesman said it is seriously considering adding a first aircraft carrier to its navy fleet, a fresh indication of the country’s growing military profile as it prepares for its first major naval deployment abroad.

BBC – Chinese ships will fight pirates

China has announced it is to send naval ships to fight rampant piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.

Economist – Naval gazing

China’s Hainan island – A curious blend of beaches, babes and naval bases.

DefenseTech – Is China Moving Towards A Carrier?

Norman Polmar writes that after more than a decade of speculation about China obtaining an aircraft carrier, there appears to be some movement in that direction — although not related to procurement of a ship.

IMINT & Analysis – OTH Radar and the ASBM Threat

A fascinating post on how China can close the sensor-shooter loop to provide targeting for its anti ship ballistic missiles – “Over the horizon radar systems, once a source of long range early warning for Cold War enemies, have evolved to the point that their presence on the battlefield poses a serious threat to friendly forces. While many nations have developed OTH systems for various surveillance purposes, Chinese developments in this and other fields have effectively transformed the OTH from a missile warning system to a missile targeting system.”

(Special thanks to Cris for bringing this post and some other recent posts to my attention!)

Daily Telegraph – China defends ambition to build aircraft carriers

China has no plans to use aircraft carriers to achieve global power and challenge the United States’ dominance, a senior general has said in a pointed defence of its rapid military expansion.

Wired – Mystery Chinese Hospital Ship: What’s It For?

Late last month, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) accepted its first purpose-built floating hospital, the 10,000-ton “Ship 866.” While seemingly innocuous on the surface, ships like this are windows into an evolving military strategy for an emerging world power.

World Politics Review – New Chinese Naval Ships a Window into Evolving Strategy

Defense News – Rand Study Suggests U.S. Loses War With China

A new RAND study suggests U.S. air power in the Pacific would be inadequate to thwart a Chinese attack on Taiwan in 2020. The study, entitled “Air Combat Past, Present and Future,” by John Stillion and Scott Perdue, says China’s anti-access arms and strategy could deny the U.S. the “ability to operate efficiently from nearby bases or seas.”

International Assessment and Strategy Center – A look at China’s new anti-ship ballistic missiles.
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Asia Times – A very interesting look (from 2006) at possible scenarios for future conflicts between China and the US???and how China would wage asymmetric warfare against the US.

Asia Times – The assassin’s mace (Part 2).

Asia Times – If it comes to a shooting war ??? .
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