Menace of the Growing Red Fleet

The US and Australia are increasingly discomforted by China’s growing maritime clout, including a underground nuclear submarine base that accommodates 20 advanced submarines and yet-to-come aircraft carriers, reports Cameron Stewart for the Australian. “In Washington there is also much debate about how to deal with China's naval ambitions, including ways to strengthen co-operation and trust between the two navies,” reports Stewart. “So far there has been little progress.” The US expects transparency and, wanting to understand Chinese intentions, has a naval strategy that emphasizes “international co-operation and collective security as a way to prevent misunderstandings.” Implications of the build-up other than defense purposes remain unclear, but then again, some analysts point out that China has not been at war in 30 years. – YaleGlobal