Chinese navy to strengthen coastal defences

BEIJING: China will strengthen its coastal defences as it seeks to expand the role of its navy beyond its shores, amid heightened tensions in the strategically important South China Sea.

Speaking at a meeting on coastal defence at the Jinan Military Area Command yesterday, China's Defense Minister Chang Wanquan called for efforts to boost development of the nation's coastal defences in view of their strategic importance.

He said that the overall national security outlook must be upheld and strategic importance should be attached to building coastal defence.

He said information technology in maritime management and control should be improved, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

A recent defence white paper called for a bigger role for Chinese navy far beyond its shores as China expanded its global role with over USD 100 billion overseas direct investment (ODI).

Chang stressed that economic development and strengthening national defense should be balanced and coordinated, and he called on everyone to care for the coastal defences.

China has a long coast line, running over 18,000 km. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve both island and maritime disputes between several states of the region including Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.