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The Real Story: How powerful is China's navy?

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How powerful is the Chinese navy?

24/09/2021 GMT

How powerful is China's navy?

BBC World Service - The Real Story, How powerful is China's navy?

China now has the biggest navy on Earth by some measures. What’s it going to do with it?

China has reacted angrily following this month's announcement of an alliance that will enable Australia to possess and deploy nuclear powered submarines in the region. Australia says the partnership with the USA and the UK, or Aukus, is not aimed at China. But most analysts agree that the initiative is hoping to counter Beijing's rapidly expanding naval capabilities. Chinese patrol boats have clashed with neighbouring vessels in disputed waters, home to billions of barrels of untapped oil and gas. The country has created artificial islands in the South China Sea and there are concerns it may use its growing amphibious capabilities to invade Taiwan. So how important is the Chinese navy to the country's overall strategic and economic plan? How does its expansion affect maritime disputes in East Asia and the safe passage of trillions of dollars worth of commodities each year? And is China right to accuse the West of a 'Cold War mentality' when it criticises the country's military investments?

Ritula Shah is joined by a panel of experts.

Producers: Junaid Ahmed and Paul Schuster

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