Chapter 10 7. Future sea power

China's maritime undertakings and maritime traditions are full of legends.The ports, oceans, rivers, most beautiful and largest lakes and long waterways in eastern and southern China have long been important transportation routes for transporting people, goods, raw materials and construction materials. China has a vast sea area, more than 18,000 kilometers of mainland coastline, more than 14,000 kilometers of island coastline, and as many as 5,000 islands. Qinghai Lake (blue "sea") is the largest and highest lake in China, located in Qinghai Province.Qinghai Lake is 3,205 meters above sea level, and its area varies with the seasons, ranging from 4,635 square kilometers to 5,694 square kilometers, with a circumference of 360 kilometers.

Strengthening maritime activities is very necessary for China's development, and at this point, usual navigation is crucial!Whether it is driving along the long coastline, or sailing to Asia and the world along other routes, or doing short trips on islands, transportation between domestic river basins or other activities, the demand is never-ending. One can easily see many merchant ships, passenger ships and military ships shuttling and floating in Chinese waters or waters outside of China, such as: oil tankers, supertankers, cargo ships, cruise ships, barges, tugboats, ferries, fishing boats, hovercraft, speedboats, yachts And so on all kinds of ships.

The Chinese navy has a long history.For example, back in July 1405, Admiral Zheng He led a fleet of more than 200 ships and embarked on one of the largest expeditions ever made.In 28 years, Zheng He made seven voyages to the West, visited 37 countries, from Southeast Asia all the way to Africa and Arabia, crossed half of the world, and perhaps even went to America, creating an epic feat! At that time, more Chinese ships were already sailing on the seas around the world.China can claim to have a powerful fleet as well as the largest ships. We also note that the Beiyang Fleet was also one of the best fleets in Asia in the 1880s.However, on the eve of the founding of New China in 1949, maritime trade no longer existed!China has become fragmented due to the instability caused by the Sino-Japanese war and civil war.Such a nearly collapsed country has nothing left, let alone foreign trade.

From 1956, China Merchant Shipping Company (CMS) began to recover. In 1950, the Chinese government built it in Hong Kong and used it as a sea trade window connecting the world. The China Merchant Shipping Company (CMS) was then rebuilt with the reorganization of 12 companies, and its facilities were transferred to China Merchants International Limited (CMIH). China's maritime cooperation on a global scale is increasing.In general, China supports and actively participates in various activities organized by the United Nations, and joins in maritime transportation cooperation and international trade to deepen bilateral and multi-faceted relations.

China has realized the transition from an ordinary maritime country to a maritime power, accelerating the realization of construction goals according to its own intentions: high seas, ecology, security, digitalization and harmony. China has also signed maritime cooperation agreements with many countries, especially the United States, Canada, Russia, India, South Korea, France and Germany. Over the course of several decades, through reforms, planning, and investment, China's maritime power has returned to the scene, with more recent momentum. China wants to play a major role in the maritime domain.China wants to eliminate its competitors, including Japan, and is building itself into the future No. 1 maritime power!

It has been gradually implemented since 1949.Maritime Statistics: Resources, Coastal Seas. Establishment of the National Oceanic Administration. Opening up the offshore oil industry: China National Offshore Oil Corporation was established in 1982. The "Great Wall Station" was established on the Antarctic continent. On this basis, several stations have been established since 1985. Establish a marine environment monitoring station in the Nansha Islands.From 1988, it is planned to establish a global ocean monitoring network: port monitoring stations, satellite monitoring stations, aircraft monitoring stations, ship monitoring stations and buoy monitoring stations.

In 1991, areas of polymetallic nodules were explored on the seabed of some international oceans. In 2002, a 300,000-ton supertanker was built. The first world tour of the Chinese naval formation.From May to September 2002, the fleet consisting of the guided-missile destroyer Qingdao and the supply ship Taichang traveled around the world for a week, visiting ten countries and ports on five continents. International Aid in 2006.After Vietnamese fishermen were hit by Typhoon Pearl, the Marine Rescue Office provided assistance to 330 fishermen with 15 fishing boats. This is the largest international maritime assistance performed by China since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

From December 26, 2008 to April 28, 2009, the Chinese naval formation patrolled in the Gulf of Aden, carrying out escort missions off the coast of Somalia.This is the first time that China has sent warships abroad for the implementation of international humanitarian aid. An investment fund set up by China has made it possible to buy disarmed ships and to order some others at preferential prices from shipyards. In 2009, China was the world's largest shipbuilding country! In 2010, China became the largest buyer of second-hand ships and built a strong fleet! In order to re-establish its international dominance, ensure national security and the safety of coastal and outer sea shipping, and strengthen its international position, China has made itself stronger by acquiring many ships.