World War 3: Vision 2020 outlines plans for ‘full dominance’
Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's top stories direct to your inbox
When
you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these
newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other
related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Beijing
is seeking to extend its influence in Africa through both economic and
military means, as it continues to project its power around the world. The People's Republic
established its first military base in Doraleh, Djibouti on Africa's
eastern coast back in 2017. The move caused considerable alarm among US
military officials, as the new base was located just eight miles from a
US military facility.
Control
of Djibouti's eastern coast would allow any major power to potentially
control access to the Suez Canal, a vital shipping route.
Professor
Gerald Horne, from the University of Houston, told The Sun Online:
"Certainly, the signs of impending conflict between China and the US are
worrisome, especially as suggested in the recent novel by NATO former
leader, James Stavridis.
"Since Djibouti contains bases of both China and the US (and others) it is likely the flashpoint."
AFRICA could be a potential site for a land war between China and the US (Image: Getty)
US military (Image: Getty)
However, China's military ambitions are not confined to this small eastern African state.
US General Stephen Townsend warned that Beijing is now looking to extend its military presence to Africa's Atlantic coast.
In
an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, he said that China
wanted to set up a large navy port capable of hosting submarines or
aircraft carriers on Africa's western coast.
The US General claimed that
the Chinese government had already approached countries stretching from
Mauritania to south of Namibia about its plans for a new naval base.
He explained: "They're looking for a place where they can rearm and repair warships.
South China Sea: China to deploy large assault ship
Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's top stories direct to your inbox
When
you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these
newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other
related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The Shandong is the PLA Navy’s second aircraft carrier after the Liaoning which is currently operating elsewhere in the South China Sea. According to Gao Xiucheng, a spokesman for the Chinese navy, the latest exercise involved communications, manoeuvres, coordination and field training.
Mr Gao said on May 2 that
the exercises were “legitimate and can enhance Chinese capabilities to
protect national sovereignty, security, and development interest."
He added: “We hope the outside world can view [the Shandong’s exercise] objectively and rationally.
“The PLA Navy will continue to organize similar exercises according to the plan regularly in the future.”
The vessel was commissioned in December 2019 by Chinese president Xi Jinping and got operational clearance in October last year.
South China Sea: Shandong completes military drill (Image: Getty Images)
South China Sea: The Shandong is Chinas second aircraft carrier (Image: Getty Images)
The
PLA ship is capable of carrying a fleet of Shenyang J-15 warplanes
equipped with more weapons and fuel than the F/A-18 Super Hornets used
on US Navy aircraft carriers.
The Shandong’s military drills come as tensions between Beijing and Washington escalate over South China Sea issues.
Last
month, the US Navy released a photo taken from the deck of the USS
Mustin showing Naval officers watching over the Liaoning from a very
short distance.
Following this, China criticised the US for “destabilising” the region after the Liaoning warned away the USS Mustin.
South China Sea: USS Mustin shadowed the Liaoning (Image: Getty Images)
South China Sea mapped (Image: Express)
On
the same day as the Chinese warning, US President Joe Biden told
Congress that the competition with China would be a litmus test and
promised to maintain America’s technological advantage of China.
China’s
other aircraft carrier group led by the Liaoning also recently
completed military drills and training around Taiwan, Wu Qian, a
spokesman at China’s ministry of national defence said on Thursday.
An
anonymous expert told PLA mouthpiece Global Times that the deployment
of the Shandong and the Liaoning would allow China to deploy warships
more often. He noted that while one ship undergoes maintenance the other
can take its place.
Also speaking to Global Times, analysts
confirmed that the recent military drills by the Liaoning and the
Shandong show China’s carriers are actively training for “combat
preparedness” to face down any threats.
Russia: US 'will respond to any recklessness' says Blinken
Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's top stories direct to your inbox
When
you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these
newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other
related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The
MiG-31 fighter escorted the US Air Force RC-135 strategic
reconnaissance aircraft over the Chukchi Sea, in the eastern border of
Russia. The Chukchi Sea is a body of water between the Arctic Ocean and
the Bering Strait which separates Alaska from Russia.
Russia's
National Defense Control Center said in a statement the jet was
scrambled to "identify the air target and prevent violation of the
border of the Russian Federation".
A statement to the Russian new
agency read: "The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in
strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace."
Over recent weeks, Moscow has intercepted a number of US aircraft.
Last
month, Russia's Defense Ministry released footage of a MiG-31 jet
accompanying an RC-135 aircraft over the coast of Kamchatka in the far
east of Russia.
Vladimir Putin launches jet to escort US plane (Image: Getty)
The MiG-31 fighter escorted a US aircraft (Image: Getty)
Days earlier, a Russian MiG-31 fighter plane escorted the same kind of US reconnaissance aircraft over the Pacific Ocean.
Moscow
has previously warned the increased reconnaissance activities near
Russia posed a risk of rising tensions between the Kremlin and
Washington amid concerns over a growing conflict in Ukraine.
Tensions
between Moscow and Ukraine have escalated following a build-up of
Russian troops along the border and clashes in eastern Ukraine between
the army and pro-Russian separatists.
Earlier today, US Secretary
of State Antony Blinken called for Russia to cease all "reckless and
aggressive actions" towards Ukraine.
"We are aware that Russia
has withdrawn some forces from the border... but we also see that
significant forces remain there [and] significant equipment remains
there," Mr Blinken said.
According to reports, British warships
will sail for the Black Sea last month in a bid to show solidarity with
Ukraine and Britain's NATO allies.
The Sunday Times reported one
Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an
anti-submarine Type 23 frigate will leave the Royal Navy's carrier task
group.
RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopters will also stand ready on HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Jersey: French boats arrive for post-Brexit fisheries protest
Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's top stories direct to your inbox
When
you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these
newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other
related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Following
a French minister threatening to cut off Jersey’s electricity over
access to British fishing zones post-Brexit, the Royal Navy has
dispatched two vessels to “monitor” the situation. French fishers are
also threatening to blockade ports, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson
calling for an "urgent need for de-escalation in tensions".
Mr Johnson ordered the
dispatch of two Royal Navy river-class patrol boats, HMS Severn and HMS
Tamar, to protect Jersey from the potential blockade.
The
Prime Minister ordered the deployment after a talk on Wednesday with
the chief minister of the British crown dependency, John Le Fondré, who
had warned Downing Street of imminent movements by French fishing boats
to cut off the island’s main port.
A Downing Street
spokesperson said: “This evening the Prime Minister spoke to the Chief
Minister of Jersey and the Minister of External Affairs, Ian Gorst,
about the prospect of a blockade of Saint Helier.
“The
Prime Minister and Chief Minister stressed the urgent need for a
de-escalation in tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on
fishing access.”
But
in response to the Royal Navy’s deployment, Twitter users were sent
into a frenzy over what could become a ‘war with France’.
Some mocked the suggestion Britain could go to war with France over fishing rights, with one saying: “Once more into the Brie!"
Another
posted a picture of a sandcastle and said: “I’m keeping an eye on the
Spanish now just in case they're building an armada on the sly…”
One more said: “What are the rules about going to war with France if they are still on the Red Travel list?
“Can I still use my EHIC card if I get injured on the battlefield?”
Some users mocked the suggestion, while others voiced concerns over a potential conflict (Image: GETTY)
Other social media users were furious at Mr Johnson for the Royal Navy deployment.
One said: “Just a polite reminder to the Royal Navy that France is a NATO ally, cheers.“
Another
added: “I knew Brexit was supposed to take us back to ‘the old Britain’
but I didn't think it'd go as far back as war with France.”
Some
pointed out the timing of the announcement ahead of Thursday’s
elections, and one user added: “As far as last minute political
inducements to a party's voter base, war with France is going to be a
tough one to top.”
Another jokingly said the UK was back to the 17th century, saying: “First we have a plague. Now we're at war with France!”
Jersey,
at the centre of Britain and France’s row over fishing, introduced a
new licensing system for French fishing boats, which requires them to
show a history of fishing in its waters.
Annick
Girardin, France's Seas Minister, said she was “disgusted" to learn that
Jersey had issued 41 licences with unilaterally imposed conditions,
including the time French fishing vessels could spend in its waters.
Ms
Girardin told France's National Assembly on Tuesday: "In the (Brexit)
deal there are retaliatory measures. Well, we're ready to use them.
“Regarding Jersey, I remind you of the delivery of electricity along underwater cables.
"Even if it would be regrettable if we had to do it, we'll do it if we have to."
Boris Johnson called for an ‘urgent need for de-escalation in tensions’ (Image: PA)
Jersey waters are exclusive fishing zones after the UK left the EU (Image: EXPRESS)
In response, a UK Government spokesman blasted Ms Girardin for her incendiary comments.
They said: “To threaten Jersey like this is clearly unacceptable and disproportionate.
“We
are working closely with the EU and Jersey on fisheries access
provisions following the end of the transition period so trust the
French will use the mechanisms of our new treaty to solve problems."
Don
Thompson, head of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, also said: “It
was inevitable that the French would kick off, but the reaction we’re
seeing from France is almost like something you would see from Iran or
Russia.
“They’re not just saying they can cut off the
electricity supply, French fishermen are saying that they’re coming
tomorrow [Thursday] to blockade the harbour in time to stop the ferries
from coming in so there’ll be no food supply and no fuel coming into the
island either.
“So it comes pretty close to an act of war, this.”
