Chinese Nuclear Submarine Sinks, U.S. Official Confirms
Incident Raises Concerns Over China's Military Accountability and Oversight
A senior U.S. defense official has confirmed that China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, marking a potential embarrassment for Beijing as it continues to expand its military capabilities.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the first-in-class submarine sank while docked at a pier sometime between May and June. The exact cause of the incident and whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board remain unclear.
China, which already boasts the world’s largest navy with over 370 ships, has been increasing its production of nuclear-armed submarines as part of its military modernization efforts.
A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington said they were unaware of the incident and had no information to provide. However, the U.S. defense official raised concerns about the internal accountability and oversight of China’s People’s Liberation Army, which has long faced issues of corruption.
"It's not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the sinking," the official added.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo, speaking in Taipei, confirmed that Taiwanese authorities were aware of the situation through intelligence and surveillance but declined to elaborate.
The news, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, has brought further scrutiny to China's growing military ambitions. Satellite images from June show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was reportedly docked.
According to a 2022 Pentagon report, China has six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines. The country’s submarine force is projected to grow to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.
Adding to international concerns, China recently conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, further fueling worries over its nuclear buildup.
Earlier this month, the U.S. and China held high-level military talks aimed at stabilizing relations and avoiding misunderstandings, particularly in contested regions like the South China Sea.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the first-in-class submarine sank while docked at a pier sometime between May and June. The exact cause of the incident and whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board remain unclear.
China, which already boasts the world’s largest navy with over 370 ships, has been increasing its production of nuclear-armed submarines as part of its military modernization efforts.
A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington said they were unaware of the incident and had no information to provide. However, the U.S. defense official raised concerns about the internal accountability and oversight of China’s People’s Liberation Army, which has long faced issues of corruption.
"It's not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the sinking," the official added.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo, speaking in Taipei, confirmed that Taiwanese authorities were aware of the situation through intelligence and surveillance but declined to elaborate.
The news, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, has brought further scrutiny to China's growing military ambitions. Satellite images from June show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was reportedly docked.
According to a 2022 Pentagon report, China has six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines. The country’s submarine force is projected to grow to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.
Adding to international concerns, China recently conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, further fueling worries over its nuclear buildup.
Earlier this month, the U.S. and China held high-level military talks aimed at stabilizing relations and avoiding misunderstandings, particularly in contested regions like the South China Sea.
