Key Takeaways:
• China’s newest nuclear-attack submarine sank during construction as revealed by satellite images.
• The incident marks a significant setback for China’s fast-paced naval buildup.
• The current status of the submerged vessel remains unknown.
• The incident could impact China’s strategic goals amid territorial disputes and regional tensions.
Details Emerge about Sinking of Chinese Nuclear Submarine
Recent satellite imagery has unveiled an unprecedented situation for China’s navy. According to a confirmation from a U.S. military official reported by CBS News, China’s newest nuclear attack submarine, a Zhou-class vessel, sank while under construction alongside a pier.
The Setback to China’s Naval Buildup
This occurrence represents a thorn in the side for Beijing’s ambitious naval development plans. China has been exponentially expanding its navy with the goal of establishing the world’s largest naval fleet. The loss of its first Zhou-class submarine could have significant implications for its ongoing efforts.
Simmering Disputes and Assertive Moves
China’s naval expansion reflects its growing assertiveness, particularly in its territorial claim over the vast and strategically vital South China Sea. This sea is a central hub for international trade, and China’s territorial assertion has escalated tensions with neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
The United States has been steadily bolstering its support for regional allies in this matter, regularly sending vessels through disputed waters in what it claims are freedom-of-navigation operations – moves that have frequently aggravated Beijing.
Mystery Surrounding the Submerging Incident
Reports indicate that the submarine likely submerged between May and June based on the presence of cranes for lifting the vessel off the river floor. Authorities remain tight-lipped about the current status of the submarine, adding an air of mystery to the debacle.
Although a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed unfamiliarity with the incident, the U.S. military official disclosed it as “not surprising” that China’s navy would maintain secrecy regarding the submarine’s fate. Moreover, it’s unclear whether the submarine was loaded with nuclear fuel or if its reactor was operating when the incident transpired, and there has been no release of radiation reported in the locale.
Impact on International Relations and Defence Partnerships
News of the submarine’s sinking coincided with China’s recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into international waters in the Pacific Ocean, which sparked further international concern. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met in London with representatives from Britain and Australia to discuss their trilateral AUKUS partnership and their shared deterrence objectives against China’s increasingly assertive moves in the Indo-Pacific.
The AUKUS alliance has been active in helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines and collaborating on emerging military capabilities. Recent discussions included the possibility of involving Japan, Canada, South Korea, and New Zealand in potential projects.
China’s Response to AUKUS
China, feeling encircled, has accused AUKUS of inciting a nuclear arms race and destabilizing the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region. The sinking of the new submarine, one of China’s key strategic assets, could potentially exacerbate these regional tensions. Therefore, the implications of this incident extend beyond China’s ambition for naval supremacy, reaching into geopolitical strategies and the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.