Article

2004-05-01 China-Japan-Koreas

Chinese battle fleet stages Hong Kong show of force

Eight Chinese warships cruised into Hong Kong harbour yesterday in the greatest show of naval might in the territory since it was transferred from British rule in 1997. The display of force was aimed at two targets. It was intended to generate patriotism in Hong Kong, where many hold mixed feelings about the Chinese military, and to warn Taiwan that Beijing is prepared to go to war rather than accept the island's independence. Led by the missile destroyer Shenzhen, one of the most sophisticated vessels in the Chinese navy, the flotilla comprised four guided-missile frigates, two submarines and another destroyer. They docked in a trading port more used to container ships.

Not a bad little flotilla, but can they fight?

The commander of the battle group said the warships were on permanent standby to deal with a crisis across the Taiwan Strait. "We, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, are ready at any time to obey our motherland's orders," said Vice Admiral Yao Xingyuan. "If necessary, we have the ability to preserve the stability of the Taiwanese political situation."

Yeah, yeah, thanks, we gave at the office.

The port call appears part of a concerted military and political effort by the Chinese government to remind Hong Kong of its loyalties and obligations to the mainland. But it is far from certain that the arrival of the battle group will boost nationalist sentiment. Since the PLA fired on civilians during the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Beijing, the national army has stirred mixed feelings in Hong Kong.

Only amongst those who don't like being shot.

The territory's unpopular chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, gave an enthusiastic welcome to the warships yesterday. "The PLA has made great contributions to Hong Kong's long-term ~~subservience~~ prosperity and stability," he said. Political analysts saw the high-profile port call as part of a process of harmonising relations with the mainland. "I wouldn't say this was a threatening gesture," said Christine Loh of the independent public-policy thinktank Civic Exchange. "Despite the inglorious incidents in its past, the PLA is now accepted by people in Hong Kong as the national military. There must be a touch of normality in the way we interact with it."

"They tell us what to do, we do it. Normal, see?"

Posted by Steve White 2004-05-01 3:36:13 AM|| || Front Page|| [11132 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Tell you what guys and gals. Many times I have sat quaffing a brew at an outdoor cafe here on the waterfront of Shekou, China. Occasionally, this fast attack gun boat would come in the harbor (upper Pearl River) just bristling with small rockets and guns galore. That wasn't the impressive part. It was the sound. That boat was raked like a speed boat and would slowly crank up all 4 engines and idle into the area. The most beautiful sound you ever heard and literally shook the tables. You could feel that big boy rumbling out there and watch the beer vibrate in your glass. I shit you not. Could they fight? Don't have a clue but they sure sound good. Chine

Posted by Chiner 2004-05-01 5:04:01 AM|| 2004-05-01 5:04:01 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Yeah, but can they dance as good as the other Asian navies?

Posted by Mike 2004-05-01 7:00:19 AM|| 2004-05-01 7:00:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 "The commander of the battle group said the warships were on permanent standby to deal with a crisis across the Taiwan Strait."

Sloppy translating! Surely that ought to read:

"...the warships were on permanent standby to cause a crisis..."

Posted by Bulldog 2004-05-01 7:09:18 AM|| 2004-05-01 7:09:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Chiner

That means that ennemy subamrines can lock their accoustic torpedoes on it from the other side of the Pacific.

Posted by JFM 2004-05-01 7:46:26 AM|| 2004-05-01 7:46:26 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Chiner - Do the Chinese military use hydrofoils in the Pearl River area? I took a ferry (the wrong one, it turned out) up the Pearl River about 8 years ago and we were passed on several occasions by tubular silver civilian hydrofoils, darting up-and-down river at unsafe speeds. Surreal, especially during a tropical storm.

Posted by Bulldog 2004-05-01 8:05:40 AM|| 2004-05-01 8:05:40 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 And just how long would these last in the pressence of a "hostile" Los Angeles class sub

Posted by cheaderhead 2004-05-01 11:14:13 AM|| 2004-05-01 11:14:13 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 I'ma zenophobe and all that... but the very idea of the Chineese strike fleet make me smile.

Posted by Shipman 2004-05-01 5:08:26 PM|| 2004-05-01 5:08:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 apparently they don't read Clancy

Posted by Frank G 2004-05-01 6:00:24 PM|| 2004-05-01 6:00:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Chiner: The most beautiful sound you ever heard and literally shook the tables. You could feel that big boy rumbling out there and watch the beer vibrate in your glass.

Small *and* noisy. I love it. The Navy swatted a lot of these types of ships aside during Persian Gulf skirmishes with the Iranian Navy.

I saw the Marine carrier (or amphibious assault ship) the Peleliu on the banks of the Hudson a couple of years ago. Pretty quiet ship for a 40,000 tonne ship, about 1/3 larger than the Essex-class carriers that dominated WWII (the Intrepid carrier that was turned into an aerospace museum is an Essex-class ship).

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-05-01 7:13:30 PM|| 2004-05-01 7:13:30 PM|| Front Page Top

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