China announces plans for massive naval upgrade

Beijing: China has announced its intention to develop a new generation of warships and aircraft that will provide its navy long range capabilities. According to Admiral Wu Shengli, the naval chief, expansion plans would include large combat warships, stealth submarines that will travel further and supersonic aircraft.

More accurate long-range missiles, deep-sea torpedoes and a general upgrade of information technology also were in the pipeline, according to Adm. Wu.

"The navy will establish a maritime defence system that corresponds with the need to protect China's maritime security and economic development," Adm. Wu said.

His comments were carried by the English-language China Daily, on its front page. The paper said it had obtained a rare interview with such a high-ranking military figure. The paper quoted other Chinese military figures as saying that Adm. Wu's reference to building large warships in all probability referred to highly publicized plans to build an aircraft carrier, as well as other unspecified vessels.

Adm Wu's comments follow-up on Chinese defence minister Liang Guanglie's comments last month when he said China no longer wanted to be the only major global power without an aircraft carrier.

China announced in March that its defence budget would rise 15.3% this year to CNY472.9 billion ($69 billion).