There was an interesting update report on BBC News Asia-Pacific this morning. The reporter had travelled to the Peoples Republic of China and found available at the IKEA Superstore Dalian, China - an aircraft carrier.
Well of course it was not really that simple but the juxtaposition of this supposed "secret" PLA Navy vessel and the fact that it is across the channel at the shipyard behind IKEA is amusing and very Chinese. By its presence there the vessel is worked on in full view of the world signalling China's future return as both a World power and a Naval power, both already well underway.
When this vessel is actually completed and sails is immaterial the fact that it exists is the point made. The same point used to be made by the British Royal Navy (sadly no more) when they would 'Send a Gunboat' to trouble spots then invite the locals ruler on board for lunch and a tour. On looking through the gun sights he would get a nice view of his palace - point made.
Dalian, Liaoning, China is located at the entrance of the large bay in northern China near the North Korean peninsula. The PLA Navy Shi Lang is the former Soviet Navy Varyag purchased by China and after a long naval saga finally towed to Dalian and used as a training facility for the PLA Navy. This as been a great success because the PLA Navy has reversed engineered and thus learned all about carriers and how to build them which they are doing under really secret conditions. They have also built crew training flight facilities in some amazing locations including the roof of an industrial building. As a result of this they will in time have the capability to mann aircraft carriers, take them to sea for trials, conduct full training operations, flight operations and voyage the world as the fleets of Fleet Admiral Zheng He did in the 15th. Century. Admiral Shi Lang was the naval officer who conquered Taiwan in the 17th. Century and the Chinese would love history to repeat itself.
The Chinese have been indicating for some time now that other nations can plan to work with China or against it. They have a certain capability at present and are developing the full capability to effect that concept of their future. Recently the Chief of the General Staff of the PLA, Chen Bingde visited the Pentagon, Washington, DC.
Good Watch.
Please remember the seafarers held captive by pirates off Somalia. Unfortunately not very much that is effective is being done to free them.
 |
| PLA Navy Shi Lang at Dalian shipyard, China |
Well of course it was not really that simple but the juxtaposition of this supposed "secret" PLA Navy vessel and the fact that it is across the channel at the shipyard behind IKEA is amusing and very Chinese. By its presence there the vessel is worked on in full view of the world signalling China's future return as both a World power and a Naval power, both already well underway.
When this vessel is actually completed and sails is immaterial the fact that it exists is the point made. The same point used to be made by the British Royal Navy (sadly no more) when they would 'Send a Gunboat' to trouble spots then invite the locals ruler on board for lunch and a tour. On looking through the gun sights he would get a nice view of his palace - point made.
Dalian, Liaoning, China is located at the entrance of the large bay in northern China near the North Korean peninsula. The PLA Navy Shi Lang is the former Soviet Navy Varyag purchased by China and after a long naval saga finally towed to Dalian and used as a training facility for the PLA Navy. This as been a great success because the PLA Navy has reversed engineered and thus learned all about carriers and how to build them which they are doing under really secret conditions. They have also built crew training flight facilities in some amazing locations including the roof of an industrial building. As a result of this they will in time have the capability to mann aircraft carriers, take them to sea for trials, conduct full training operations, flight operations and voyage the world as the fleets of Fleet Admiral Zheng He did in the 15th. Century. Admiral Shi Lang was the naval officer who conquered Taiwan in the 17th. Century and the Chinese would love history to repeat itself.
The Chinese have been indicating for some time now that other nations can plan to work with China or against it. They have a certain capability at present and are developing the full capability to effect that concept of their future. Recently the Chief of the General Staff of the PLA, Chen Bingde visited the Pentagon, Washington, DC.
Good Watch.
Please remember the seafarers held captive by pirates off Somalia. Unfortunately not very much that is effective is being done to free them.
Comments