Category: military

(Global Times)13:46, May 16, 2019

A full year has passed since Chinas second aircraft carrier, or the first domestically made, the Type 001A, conducted its first sea trial, leading analysts to suggest the ship might soon officially join the countrys naval service.

Their prediction is based on the experience of the countrys first carrier, the Liaoning, which took a little more than a year from its maiden voyage to enlist in the PLA Navy.

As of Monday, lane markings have been painted on the Type 001As flight deck. It also conducted a replenishment drill within the shipyard with the supply ship Hulunhu in late April, news website wenweipo.com reported on Monday.

The first domestically developed carrier undertook its first sea trial on May 13, 2018. Four others have been conducted over the past year.

The sea trials successfully tested the warships propulsion system, combat and supply capabilities, China Central Television reported in April.

Chinese military enthusiasts had hoped the second carrier would make it to a maritime parade on April 23 to celebrate the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navys 70th anniversary in Qingdao, East Chinas Shandong Province. However, it remained in its shipyard in Dalian, Northeast Chinas Liaoning Province where it continued to be painted.

The interval between the Liaonings first sea trial and its commissioning to the PLA Navy was a little more than a year, so analysts believe the domestically made carrier will very likely be commissioned within two months, the wenweipo.com report said.

As the commissioning of the Type 001A appears to be on track, military observers are beginning to shift their focus to Chinas third carrier.

The construction of the second domestically developed aircraft carrier has begun, the PLA Daily reported on April 21. The Xinhua News Agency also reported construction was underway in November 2018.

Reuters reported on May 7 that the third carrier is being constructed at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, citing recent satellite images.

Chinese military experts told the Global Times previously that the third carrier will likely be bigger than the previous two and feature a flat deck instead of jump-rack deck. It might also use new technologies including an electromagnetic catapult to launch its aircraft, they said.

(Global Times)14:06, May 17, 2019

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy might acquire a type of domestically developed airliner and convert it into a maritime surveillance aircraft, as military analysts said on Thursday the move could rapidly boost Chinas naval surveillance capability at a low cost.

The PLA Navy may have the new Modern Ark 60 (MA60) search and guidance aircraft in its arsenal of special-mission aircraft, Weihutang, a column on the military affiliated with China Central Television, reported on Wednesday.

Citing a Tuesday notice released on the Chinese militarys weapon and equipment procurement website weain.mil.cn, the report said the PLA Navy is procuring electro-optical detection units, communication relay units, navigation units and BeiDou transceivers for the MA60.

Developed by Xian Aircraft Industry (Group) Company Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the twin turboprop MA60 was designed to be a regional airliner that uses advanced but mature technologies, according to the companys website.

Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times on Thursday that once customized with the likes of sea surface search radars and electro-optical detection equipment, the MA60 can cover a considerably large sea area and conduct surveillance missions on vessels.

Special-mission aircraft plays an important role in high sea surveillance and intelligence gathering, making them a focus of development by navies around the world, the Weihutang report said.

China uses special-mission variants of the Y-8 and Y-9 transport aircraft to conduct such missions, but their numbers are limited, the report noted.

Military observers said the possible commissioning of the MA60 could quickly fill the gap and help the PLA Navy cover Chinas vast territorial waters, especially in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

The MA60 uses very mature technologies and has a high cost performance, Wei said, noting that its maintenance is likely less complicated than designated warplanes, making it more suitable on island bases.

Although its range, endurance and surveillance capability might not be as good as those of the Y-8-based special-mission aircraft, they can complement each other, Wei said.

Since 2005, more than 100 MA60 regional airliners have been sold to countries along the routes of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, including Laos, Cambodia, Nepal and Zimbabwe, according to State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

(Xinhua)13:58, May 20, 2019

KABUL, May 20 (Xinhua) — Three members of the Haqqani militant group have been arrested in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, the government said on Monday.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel launched an operation in Police District 8 of Kabul. As a result three members of Haqqani terrorist group were arrested, Presidential Information Coordination Center (Tawhid Center) said in a statement.

The statement did not disclose the exact time of the operation conducted by the NDS, the primary intelligence agency of the country.

As a Taliban-linked militant group, the Haqqani network, operating mostly in eastern provinces and the capital Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces.

On Sunday night, a police officer was wounded after unknown men hurled a hand grenade on a security checkpoint in Dough Abad, an area in Police District 7 of Kabul, police spokesman Ferdous Faramarz confirmed.

(Xinhua)15:30, May 21, 2019

KHARTOUM, May 21 (Xinhua) — Sudans ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and an alliance of opposition forces on Tuesday vowed to work together to reach an urgent agreement as their negotiation continues.

The TMC and the Freedom and Change Alliance centers still differ on the representation of the military and the civilians in the transitional sovereignty council as well as the chairmanship of the new ruling body, the two sides said in a joint statement.

The TMC, which is tasked with running the country following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir, and the opposition have recently agreed on the powers of the sovereignty council, the council of ministers and the legislative council.

They also agreed that the duration of the transitional period would be three years, with the first six months to be allotted for achieving peace all over Sudan and the legislative council is to comprise 300 members, 67 percent of whom are from the Freedom and Change Alliance.

(Xinhua)07:50, May 22, 2019

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Xinhua) — Several Russian bombers and fighters were intercepted by U.S. F-22 fighter jets off the coast of Alaska on Monday, said the U.S. military on Tuesday.

Two of the Russian Tu-95 bombers were intercepted by two F-22s, and a second group of two Tu-95 bombers with two Su-35 fighters were intercepted later by two more F-22s, said the North American Aerospace Defense Command in a statement on Twitter.

The interception occurred at the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Russian warplanes remained in international airspace, the statement added.

In September, two Russian bombers were intercepted by two U.S. F-22 fighter jets near Alaska.

(China Daily)14:50, May 23, 2019

Chinas permanent representative to the United Nations on Tuesday called for adherence to a political settlement of the Libyan crisis and proper handling of sanctions against the country, Xinhua News Agency reported, as the top UN envoy for Libya warned that the Arab country is on the verge of civil war that could lead to permanent division.

There is a need to stick to a political solution. China has always believed that the Libyan issue must be settled through political means, Ma Zhaoxu told the Security Council.

We hope that parties to the conflict in Libya will put the interests of the country and the people first, respond to the calls of the international community for a cease-fire as soon as possible, ease the tensions and return to the path of settlement through peaceful dialogue and consultation.

He added that the safety and security of civilians must be protected and the humanitarian situation in the country must be improved.

While the sanctions on Libya should continue to be enforced, they must be properly handled so that they do not negatively impact civilians, the Chinese envoy said.

The Chinese ambassador asked for synergy of international efforts toward a political settlement in Libya.

The international community should respect Libyas sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The countries of influence should push for resolution of differences among the parties, help build trust and provide constructive assistance to the parties to achieve a cease-fire and return to political dialogue, he said.

510 deaths in weeks

Since early April, rebel forces led by Khalifa Haftar have drawn closer to the capital of Tripoli. Weeks of fighting have killed 510 people and wounded 2,467, according to the latest toll from the World Health Organization. More than 75,000 people have fled their homes, according to the UN, while 100,000 are trapped by the conflict, Agence France-Presse reported. Terrorist activities are re-emerging. All these undermine Libyas political security and socio-economic stability and development, the Chinese ambassador said.

The situation also has a spillover effect to the Sahel region and the Mediterranean coast, Ma warned.

China is highly concerned about the developments in Libya. The international community should heighten its attention to Libya and work together to push for an early solution to the Libyan crisis, he said.

China is willing to work with the international community to contribute to Libyas lasting peace and stability, he said.

In his briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, Ghassan Salame, the UN secretary-generals special representative for Libya, said the country is on the verge of civil war.

Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war, which could lead to the permanent division of the country. The damage already done will take years to mend, and thats only if the war is ended now, Salame said.

Forty-eight days into the attack on Tripoli by General Haftars forces, there has already been too much death and destruction, he added, referring to the new offensive on the Libyan capital launched on April 4 by the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army led by Haftar.

The Security Council failed last month to agree on a draft resolution demanding a cease-fire in Libya and a return to political talks to end the conflict, Associated Press reported.

(Xinhua)08:43, May 24, 2019

MOGADISHU, May 23 (Xinhua) — The United States military said on Thursday that it killed two Islamic State (IS) fighters in Somalias semi-autonomous Puntland region in an air attack on Wednesday.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the latest strike was conducted in cooperation with Somali government targeting encampment in the Golis Mountains.

Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike. Our process and procedures allow for additional information to inform post-strike analysis, AFRICOM said in a statement.

The Wednesdays attack was the fifth precision airstrike against IS-Somalia since April 14 in a deliberate campaign to limit and disrupt freedom of movement in the area and to eliminate leaders of the organization.

Pro-IS militants split from al-Shabab in October 2015 and later occupied Qandala, a key location in Bari Region under Puntland State Administration in northern Somalia since 2016.

(Xinhua)08:14, May 27, 2019

KUNMING, May 26 (Xinhua) — Around 1,500 rifle bullets used by Japanese forces during WWII were found in southwest Chinas Yunnan Province, according to local authorities.

The bullets were dug up by Yang Huixian, a resident of Longling County under Baoshan City when he was working on his vegetable plot. After digging down more than 30 centimeters, I found the bullets, Yang said.

He subsequently handed over the ammunition to the local cultural relics management institute.

The 6.5-mm-caliber bullets were from the Type 38 Rifle of the Japanese forces during WWII, and the place where they were found used to be a battlefield, according to the Longling County Cultural Relics Management Institute.

Longling, located on the border of western Yunnan, was one of the main battlefields of the Anti-Japanese War in WWII.

Some ammunition from WWII had been found sporadically in Longling, and the number of ammunition was large this time, said Qiu Jiawei, director of the institute.

After testing, we found that the ammunition is basically intact, but invalid, Qiu said. We intend to put them on display in the Anti-Japanese War memorial hall to remind the general public to cherish peace.

The discovery of the ammunition provides important evidence for the study of the deployment of Japanese troops and their weapons during the battle in Longling, Qiu added.

(Xinhua)08:32, May 29, 2019

A new batch of Chinese peacekeepers joined the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) following the 17th Transfer of Authority (rotation) ceremony in Lebanons southern village Hinnieh near the port city of Tyre on Monday, May 27, 2019. [Photo: people.cn]

BEIRUT, May 28 (Xinhua) — A new batch of Chinese peacekeepers joined the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Monday following the 17th Transfer of Authority (rotation) ceremony in Lebanons southern village Hinnieh near the port city of Tyre.

Stefano Del Col, head of mission and force commander of the UNIFIL, oversaw the Transfer of Authority from Shi Honghui, commander of the 17th Chinese Peacekeeping Operation Force, to Gao Chaoning, commander of the 18th one.

Del Col appreciated the work performed by the Chinese troop at all levels and in all its functions. Your work contributes and adds to UNIFILs goal to support strong and capable Lebanese state institutions, which are at the root of sustainable peace.

Your work helps UNIFIL in achieving its mandate, within the framework of Security Council Resolution 1701, of improving safety and security, an essential prerequisite for peace, he said.

For his part, Gao vowed to follow the UN charter, coordinate with peacekeeping forces and fulfill the mission of preserving longstanding peace in the region.

We will be fully devoted to various tasks, fearless of difficulties and sacrifices, to make contributions to the lasting peace of south Lebanon, he said.

About 6,000 Chinese peacekeepers have completed their service in southern Lebanon since 2006, which is a critical force to implement the missions mandate.

(Global Times)10:25, May 29, 2019

US President Donald Trump concluded his four-day visit to Japan on Tuesday with an inspection of a helicopter destroyer, which is planned to be converted into an aircraft carrier, and Chinese experts said his move indicates his acquiescence of Japans military ambitions and may trigger a new arms race.

Accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump inspected the Kaga at the Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, the first time a US president has stepped aboard a Self-Defense Force ship, Japans Kyodo News reported.

Ni Feng, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of American Studies, told the Global Times that the inspection once again shows that Trump wants its allies to shoulder greater military responsibility and boost their defense budgets, which encourages Abes pursuit of military power.

Chinese analysts noted that the helicopter destroyer Trump inspected is controversial even in Japan, as the country is not allowed to possess weapons that could be used to attack other countries after its defeat in World War II.

Kaga, an Izumo-class helicopter destroyer, is expected to be refurbished and function as an aircraft carrier capable of carrying F-35B stealth fighters, NHK reported on Tuesday.

Trumps visit shows he is ignoring the fact that Japan has not reflected on the wartime history, or that Japans current quest to regain military strength raises concerns in the region, said Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing,

Despite being allies, the US used to limit Japans military development and did not allow it to have any kind of long-range delivery and strike capability, Yang said, noting that the Izumo-class ship would fall into this category.

This means Japan has the tacit endorsement of the US president to expand its military capabilities, Yang said.

The inspection could heighten tensions in the region, incite confrontation between major countries and may lead to an arms race, Ni said.

Echoing Ni, Yang stressed that if Japan were to once again become a major military power, neighboring countries and regions will definitely worry.

During his four-day visit, Trump announced Japans plan to buy 105 US-made F-35 fighter jets. He also discussed trade with Abe, noting the US trade deficit with Japan is large, but he hopes to announce a trade deal soon, media reported.