Infographic map
Where China's navy operates
Ninian Carter, Tonia Cowan, Mark MacKinnon AND Danielle Adams
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published
Last updated
China's bulked-up navy proves gun boats still matter on the high seas.
Scroll to see selections of the map where China operates.
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Map showing China's naval power in the region.
CHINA
By some counts, China may already possess more principal combat ships – submarines, destroyers, frigates etc. – than the U.S., though the American craft are considered far superior. However, with Chinese military spending increasing substantially each year, that gap is narrowing. China’s recent military advances include: the world’s first anti-ship ballistic missiles, called carrier killers, which are for use against major vessels such as aircraft carriers; China’s first aircraft carrier, a Soviet-built vessel expected to set to sea this year or next; new J-20 stealth fighter jets; and a new model of stealth submarine.
Submarines: 65
Principal surface combat vessels: 80
Vessel estimates are from the International Institute for Strategic Studies
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U.S. flag icons on maps show locations of U.S. military facilities.
UNITED STATES
The U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, which includes forces permanently stationed in the western Pacific and forces sent there in rotations, currently consists of 70 major combat vessels. One aircraft carrier – the USS George Washington – is permanently stationed there. A second aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson recently arrived in the region, and a third, the USS Ronald Reagan, is expected to reach the region soon. Its arrival will mark the first time since shortly after the Second World War that the U.S. has had this much naval muscle deployed here at one time. The Chinese have called this U.S. deployment the biggest threat to China and North Korea in six decades.
Submarines: 71
Principal surface combat vessels: 110 (including 11 aircraft carriers)
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VIETNAM
Submarines: 2
Principal surface combat vessels: 11
TAIWAN
Submarines: 4
Principal surface combat vessels: 26
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THE PHILIPPINES
Submarines: 0
Principal surface combat vessels: 1
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MALAYSIA
Submarines: 2
Principal surface combat vessels: 12
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NORTH KOREA
Submarines: 63
Principal surface combat vessels: 8
SOUTH KOREA
Submarines: 13
Principal surface combat vessels: 47
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JAPAN
In light of recent tensions in the region, the Japanese government has announced a major shift for its Self-Defence Forces. The army will slash spending on tanks and invest in new submarines and warships to create what it calls a dynamic defence system.
Submarines: 16
Principal surface combat vessels: 52
