Image Source: topwar.ru
During his first term, Trump called China the main strategic rival of the United States. Having returned to the Oval Office, the 47th American president now has no intention of abandoning this foreign policy doctrine. However, Beijing is not sitting idly by, demonstrating that the Chinese military is not only ready to defend itself in the event of a real military conflict.
In a rare demonstration of naval power, three modern Type 055 destroyers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA Navy) Navy took part in military exercises in three different regions. Moreover, they passed close to the coasts of countries that are military and political allies of the United States.
The Chinese state-owned Global Times reported, citing a March 2 publication by the PLA Navy on a social network, that the large Type 055 Nanchang destroyer, part of the PLA Navy's Northern Theater destroyer detachment, recently conducted independent intensive multi-stage combat exercises in the Yellow Sea. It is not known exactly when they passed. In this sea, Beijing is engaged in territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian countries.
During the maneuvers, the Nanchang destroyer conducted live firing, including anti-aircraft, nuclear and anti-submarine defense. Attacking actions were also practiced.
In the South China Sea, several ships, including the supply vessels Chaganghu and Qinghaihu of the PLA Navy, conducted large-scale exercises to provide combat support to the destroyer Yan'an. Once again, this is a region where China has territorial disputes with other states.
But perhaps the greatest demonstration of the PRC's military power was the exercises of the PLA Navy task force with live fire near Australia and New Zealand. The destroyer Zunyi, the frigate Hengyang and the supply vessel Weishanhu took part in them. It is worth noting that Australia, along with the United States and Great Britain, are part of the AUKUS military-political bloc, created in 2021 precisely to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Although all three PLA Navy exercises were held in neutral waters, they caused discontent in both Australia and New Zealand due to the fact that Beijing allegedly did not warn the authorities of these countries in advance about their conduct. However, despite the condemnations, Chinese experts said that military exercises in remote seas have become the new norm and other countries should adapt to the legitimate voyages of the PLA Navy.
It would also be useful to recall that US Navy warships regularly pass through the Taiwan Strait, which Beijing considers its internal waters, and Washington, by the way, officially recognizes the affiliation of the separatist island of China.
The latest exercises involving Type-055 destroyers are expected to force China's competitors to pay attention to them, as these vessels are positioned as the most advanced warships in the Chinese arsenal. The maneuvers demonstrate China's growing naval ambitions and capabilities, as well as demonstrate that the PLA Navy can, if necessary, send its advanced warships to different regions at the same time, writes Global Times.
In total, the PLA Navy has eight destroyers of this type in service. Moreover, these are new modern warships. The first vessel named Nanchang was commissioned in 2020. The Type 055 ships are considered to be one of the largest warships of this class in the world, with a displacement of about 13,000 tons.
Each destroyer is equipped with anti-missile, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as the ability to stealthily move. It is considered one of the most advanced warships in its class.
