Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
AFP: US asks China to explain why it needs aircraft carrier
WASHINGTON — The United States said Wednesday it would like China to explain why it needs an aircraft carrier amid broader US concerns about Beijing's lack of transparency over its military aims.
"We would welcome any kind of explanation that China would like to give for needing this kind of equipment," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters when asked whether the carrier would raise regional tensions.
"This is part of our larger concern that China is not as transparent as other countries. It's not as transparent as the United States about its military acquisitions, about its military budget," she said.
"And we'd like to have the kind of open, transparent relationship in military-to-military affairs," Nuland said.
"In our military-to-military relations with many countries around the world, we have the kind of bilateral dialogue where we can get quite specific about the equipment that we have and its intended purposes and its intended movements," she said.
But China and the United States are "not at that level of transparency" to which the two nations aspire, Nuland added.
The comments came hours after China's first aircraft carrier embarked on its inaugural sea trial, a move likely to stoke concerns about the nation's military expansion and growing territorial assertiveness.
Beijing only recently confirmed it was revamping an old Soviet ship to be its first carrier and has sought to play down the vessel's capability, saying it will mainly be used for training and "research."
The best JOKE I have heard for a long time!!! Debt Ridden, Money Owing tenant asking the landlord on why does he need to have such a huge antenna on his house's roof?
Joke of the century- China should ask the debt defaulters and war criminals why it needs 11 nuclear powered aircraft carriers and 10 expeditionary group, etc.
Stupid question by USA, its ovbious why China made a aircraft carrier, is so that they can threaten smaller nations in eastern asia and scaring USA away so nations like Taiwan and VN can get assistance.
Don't you know? Really? USA needs to have those assets. It is extremely important and vital for global peace and to fight against terrorism. Here is why:
P
us says to china "come talk to papa!!"
China, daddy is asking something.
Chinese Answer:Because it's great for hosting parties.
Absolutely...We would be dead from laughing. Good strategy, though...China should reply and say something like "to invade the United States in the next 6 months".
Now wouldn't that be the biggest joke of the year?