China drone carrier or not, the battle for naval supremacy in Asia just got murkier

Recent chatter about a drone carrier joining China’s growing fleet of aircraft carriers points to the intensifying race on the military tech front.

US naval experts describe the ship as smaller than the regular carriers, of which China now has three – Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian. That raises the chances of the vessel being more than a deterrent and one that actually finds use, elevating the risk of conflict.But, to many in the West, the “drone carrier” also has huge symbolic value; emblematic of a Beijing that is toiling to dominate the US not only economically but also militarily.

This week, the Financial Times quoted Taiwanese military expert Su Tsu-yun as saying that “China is very focused on collecting data on the seafloor and subsea environment”.The US, particularly, has been deploying submerged listening devices at speed, and mapping every inch of seabed. The emergence of the so-called “Squad” group of nations – US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines – and the likelihood of Aukus, which bands together Australia, UK and the US, expanding to include Japan, New Zealand and perhaps South Korea at some stage is a clear sign.

The US separated its space command from the air force command a few years ago, and Japan has had its own space command for four years.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Nikkei Forum on Future of Asia: Anwar Ibrahim stresses need for Asia to engage with ChinaMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the need for Asia to engage with China and called on ASEAN to take a common position to resolve regional issues. He made the remarks at the 29th Nikkei Forum held in Tokyo, which focuses on the theme of "Future of Asia".
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Philippines says China Coast Guard rules a provocationThe Philippines and China have had several maritime run-ins in the South China Sea.
Source: STForeignDesk - 🏆 4. / 71 Read more »

As US hikes China tariffs, imports soar from China-reliant VietnamHANOI - As the United States intensifies efforts to reduce trade with China by hiking tariffs, it has greatly boosted imports from Vietnam, which relies on Chinese input for much of its exports, data show.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »

Philippines denies deal with China over disputed South China Sea shoalThe Philippines denied a Chinese claim that the countries had reached an agreement.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Philippines denies deal with China over disputed South China Sea shoalA spokesperson at China's embassy in Manila said on Apr 18 that the Philippines and China had agreed early this year to a "new model" in managing tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal, something Manila rejects.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Covid pandemic cut global life expectancy by nearly two years: WHOThe Americas and Southeast Asia were the worst-hit regions.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »