CHINA PUMPING UP SUB POWER
Military-technological cooperation between China and Russia continues to
expand as China negotiates with Russia to buy eight more submarines in a
$1.6 billion deal. China has already purchased four Kilo-class subs from
Russia as part of a $4 billion weapons package to be completed over next
four to five years. Since the early 1990s Russia and China have signed
several military contracts for arms totaling several billion dollars, to the
extent that China is at the front as the world's leading arms importer.
China is Russia's biggest military trading partner and accounts for up to
40% of Russia's weapons exports. In return, Russia generates annual profits
of one billion U.S. dollars from the sale of these weapons. Arms sales
total almost one-fifth of the total trade between the two countries. Leaders
of the two countries are hoping Russo-Chinese cooperation in the field of
military technology will lead to a transition from simple export trade to
joint scientific research and development of new types of armaments and
military hardware.
Such military arrangements are of great concern to the U.S., as China is
working to significantly boost its ability to blockade Taiwan and challenge
U.S. naval supremacy in nearby seas. The strengthening of China's navy could
enable China to hold off the United States while taking control of Taiwan by
force. The U.S. has vowed to defend Taiwan from such attacks.
The U.S. has frequently moved aircraft carrier battle groups near Taiwan in
response to various Chinese threats. Defense experts believe these new
submarines could make such action in the future much more risky.
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