#Pentagon says China has ‘largest navy in the world’ after buildup

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Chinese navy ships in the South China Sea.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

The Defense Department says in a new report to Congress that China now has the world’s largest navy, at least in number of battle-ready ships.

“[China] has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants,” the report says. “In comparison, the U.S. Navy’s battle force is approximately 293 ships as of early 2020.”

The comparison isn’t necessarily qualitative. For example, the US Navy has 11 massive nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and bases across the world. China has just two non-nuclear aircraft carriers, and lacks a significant overseas presence.

The report, drafted by Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s office, notes that the Chinese military “remains engaged in a robust shipbuilding and modernization program that includes submarines, surface combatants, amphibious warfare ships, aircraft carriers, and auxiliary ships as well as developing and fielding advanced weapons, sensors, and command and control capabilities.”

“China is the top ship-producing nation in the world by tonnage and is increasing its shipbuilding capacity and capability for all naval classes,” the report says.

China hasn’t been involved in a major war since the Korean War of the 1950s, when it helped turn the tide against US troops on behalf of Communist North Korea.

The report comes as US-China relations plunge over Chinese concealment of early COVID-19 data and over the central government’s elimination of political autonomy in Hong Kong and human rights abuses against the Uighur minority.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo imposed new rules on Chinese diplomats in the US, requiring that they seek official permission before visiting US colleges or speaking with local officials.