China, world’s second most powerful nation, has launched a brand new intelligence gathering ship in the latest addition to the country’s growing navy fleet.
According to the official China Daily report, the new ship arrived to join other military support vessels in the eastern port of Qingdao.
The new fleet will support China’s North Sea forces.
The Chinese publication said Beijing’s navy currently operates six electronic reconnaissance vessels. It noted that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “has never made public so many details about its intelligence collection ships.”
It added that the new vessel “is capable of conducting all-weather, round-the-clock reconnaissance on multiple and different targets.”
The ship launching comes as Xi Jinping-led country has increased its patrols in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Regional navy officials have reported Chinese ships are increasingly following vessels – including U.S. and Japanese warships – passing through the area.
China claims most of the South China Sea, an important waterway through which more than $5 trillion worth in trade passes each year. The area contains rich fishing grounds and is believed to hold oil and natural gas.
The Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia also have claims to the sea.
Other claimants and the United States have criticized Beijing for creating man-made islands in the disputed area. Recently released satellite images also appear to show that China had added weapons to some of the islands.
Meanwhile, Rex Tillerson, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, called on China to stop building more islands. He added that, “access to those islands also is not going to be allowed.”
China has refused to accept the ruling of an international court last year that rejected its “historical” claims to large areas of the sea. The Philippines brought the case to the court.
Chinese officials have said they want to settle disputes in the South China Sea through direct talks with other claimants.
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