Leaders | Blue-water reds

The West need not fear China’s war games with Russia

In fact, America’s navy should co-operate more with China’s, too

Jul 29th 2017

RARELY in times of peace has a country acquired naval power at such a rate as China has in recent years. Three decades ago its warships were clapped out, capable of operating only close to shore. Now its shipyards are churning out state-of-the-art combat vessels at a furious pace. Some experts believe it could have as many warships as America within a few years. China’s navy is also developing global range: this week three of its ships have been staging war games in the Baltic Sea with the Russian navy, the first joint exercises by the two countries in those waters. The intended message to the West is clear. China and Russia, united in their resentment of American power, are thumbing their noses at NATO on its doorstep.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The new gunboat diplomacy”