Well, since this carrier, next to the US carriers and the French carrier, once it becomes ioperationally, will be the strongest carrier afloat...and probablyu next to the UKs carriers which are now building, and since the Chinese are already building two more at the same time in Shanghai, I'd say we'd best look around and give them consideration.
Over the last ten years they have developed new, modern, effective destroyers (DDGs) which are a lot like our own AEGIS destroyers with an effective SAPAR, AEGIS-like guidance and battle management system for their VLS missiles, effectiove new frigates, FFGs with VLS, new SSNs and now this new carrier.
THE NEW CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER
I have been tracking their progress for the lasty eight years...and yes, we'd best take note. They are on a track to challenege us seriously in the WESTPAC in the next 5-10 years now.
THE RISING SEA DRGAON IN ASIA...and probablyu next to the UKs carriers which are now buildingYou say that rather casually. And without any expection of people being alarmed. Yet, that is the realit of the how the Western world sees itself and how it sees other countries.
Britain is building two Queen Elizabeth class carriers, and it doesn't make news. Can even be an after thought. Yet China is 22 times bigger than Britain by population, builds one carrier, and people become alarmed.
If China was a developed nation (which she likely will achieve in about 30 years), a commensurate number of carriers with Britain would be 44 (forty four) Queen Elizabeth class carriers.
China, of course, doesn't need that many to defend herself. But I feel China has a right to build, say 8-10. Which she likely will do over the next 30 or more years. And proportionally speaking, will still be less than if Britain only commissions one Queen Elizabeth class carrier.
I get lamblasted everytime I say this, but much of the fear is based on a Western centric view of the world.