Chinese Military Seeks To Extend Its Naval Power

The destroyer DDG-167 Shenzhen (L) of the second group of Chinese navy escort ships and destroyer DDG-169 Wuhan of the first group sail in the Gulf of Aden on April 13, 2009. The second group of Chinese navy escort ships converged with the first group of Chinese navy escort ships in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. (Xinhua/Yu Zhangcai)

From The New York Times:

YALONG BAY, China — The Chinese military is seeking to project naval power well beyond the Chinese coast, from the oil ports of the Middle East to the shipping lanes of the Pacific, where the United States Navy has long reigned as the dominant force, military officials and analysts say.

China calls the new strategy “far sea defense,” and the speed with which it is building long-range capabilities has surprised foreign military officials.

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My Comment: China wants to defend its sea lanes to the oil producers of the Middle East. Expect more news in the coming years on the growth and development of this (soon to be) deep blue navy.