Beijing has put its nuclear-powered submarine fleet on public display, with state media yesterday touting the move as unprecedented and necessary to show other countries China’s strike capabilities as territorial tensions mount.
In an overt declaration of China’s high-seas strength, several state-run papers ran front-page stories on the four-decade-old submarine fleet, while state broadcaster CCTV has devoted much airtime in recent days to its drills and exercises.
China’s first nuclear-powered submarine was launched in 1970, the Global Times said, but had not been properly taken into account by others.
Photo: AFP
“China is powerful in possessing a credible second-strike nuclear capability,” it said in an editorial, adding: “Some countries haven’t taken this into serious consideration when constituting their China policy, leading to a frivolous attitude toward China in public opinion.”
“China needs to make it clear that the only choice is not to challenge China’s core interest,” said the paper, which often takes a nationalistic tone and is close to the Chinese Communist party. “Developing marine-based nuclear power is part of such work.”
In a nod to accusations that Beijing is becoming increasingly assertive over its territorial claims in the East and South China seas, the editorial continued: “Perhaps it will give excuse to ‘China Threat’ speculation but the benefit will far eclipse the trouble created by external opinions.”
Taiwan’s Lee Chia-hao (李佳豪) on Sunday won a silver medal at the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham, England, a career best. Lee, 25, took silver in the final of the men’s singles against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi (石宇奇) of China, who won 21-17, 21-19 in a tough match that lasted 51 minutes. After the match, the Taiwanese player, who ranks No. 22 in the world, said it felt unreal to be challenging an opponent of Shi’s caliber. “I had to be in peak form, and constantly switch my rhythm and tactics in order to score points effectively,” he said. Lee got
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