China built another target that looks like an aircraft carrier of the United States, raising fears that Beijing may be preparing to face direct military confrontation.
The new target is located in the vast western desert region of Xinjiang, around 300 miles from where the first target was uncovered in Ruoqiang County.
Analysts believe it is a replica in half of a Nimitz class carrier, located at a military firing line. There’s also a new facility nearby.
The replica was revealed by satellite imagery as tensions rise between Washington, Beijing and Taiwan over Taiwan’s fate, South China Sea dominance, trade, and other issues.
China built a second model of a US-made aircraft carrier at what seems to be a remote firing range in deserts in western Xinjiang.
This mockup looks like a replica in half of a Nimitz class carrier (file photo). It is found in an area with only one facility.
The images were captured by Colorado-based firm Maxar Technologies and supplied to analyst H I Sutton, otherwise known as Covert ShoresHe identified the form of the carrier to be a Nimitz class.
The target’s length was estimated to be approximately 568ft, which is half the size of an actual Nimitz. He also stated that it appeared to have been fixed to the ground.
High-speed sensors and radar reflectors could top off the target’s surround to collect data about missile testing.
The carrier’s middle is marked with a pronouncable “island”, possibly enhanced by radar reflectors. This mimics the actual command deck on a carrier.
The structure is described as a suspected missile Target’ by the author. Construction began June 25, and most of the work was completed in October.
The discovery of the site occurred just days following another similar one in Ruoqiang County. It featured several targets that resembled US warships.
The Ruoqiang site features a full-scale replica of a Ford-class aircraft carrier, along with a scale model of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
The new target was discovered just days after another target, this time resembling a Ford-class carrier, was discovered in Ruoqiang County
China built an exact replica of the US Naval Aircraft Carrier (pictured: The USS Gerald R. Ford). This was China’s first aircraft carrier design in 40 years.
Satellite images captured by Colorado-based satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies dated Sunday show China has built a mock-up of a US destroyed in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang
China copied the US guided missile destroyer (pictured: the USS Arleigh Burke), amid ongoing tensions between Beijing & Washington
Another model of an airplane carrier is attached to the rail. It appears that this was intended for target practice.
China has constructed targets for US warships but it insists that it will work with America, as Joe Biden and Xi Jinping prepare to meet in a virtual summit.
On Wednesday, Xi released a statement to the US embassy stating that the country was’ready and willing to cooperate across all borders to improve exchanges’.
Xi made the statement after diplomatic sources claimed that a virtual meeting could take place as early as next week.
Reuters received confirmation from both sides that they had reached a principle agreement to have the virtual meeting between Biden & Xi in January.
It comes after talks in the Swiss city of Zurich last month between U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi.
Sources said to Reuters last month, that Washington planned to host a conference call with Xi in November due China’s COVID-19-restricted travel and Xi’s reluctance at traveling during the pandemic.
Karine Jean Pierre, White House deputy press secretary was asked Monday to clarify the timing of the virtual meet. She stated that there had been a principle agreement between Biden and Xi for it to be held before the end the year.
Although she said that details were being confirmed, working-level conversations are underway. She declined to provide specifics. This would mark the beginning of direct discussions between them since Biden’s election to the presidency.
Beijing has constructed a mobile target in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang, satellite images dated Sunday show
China is building at least one target destroyer amid tensions between Beijing, Washington and Taiwan over South China Sea, Taiwanese military superiority and Indo-Pacific military dominance.
According to the US Naval Institute, the mock-ups (pictured as a rail terminus/target storage) of US ships were part of an updated target range that was developed by the People’s Liberation Army.
There are many stakes in this meeting. Washington and Beijing are currently at odds over issues ranging from China’s growing nuclear arsenal to the source of the pandemic, although Biden’s team is not expecting specific results.
Experts think the sides might work together to ease visa restrictions for journalists. They also suggested that a deal could be reached to reopen the consulates in Chengdu or Houston, which were closed in 2020.
However, the Biden administration stated that they had not discussed a deal regarding the consulates prior to the meeting.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson stated last week that they were trying to manage China’s competitiveness responsibly and did not seek any specific deliverables.
This revelation about China building US-ship targets comes as part of a larger buildup of China’s military, which has seen the country upgrade its weapons, aircraft, and tanks, as well as increase the strength of its armed force.
Beijing is currently expanding its nuclear arsenal. According to the US, it could eventually reach 1,000 warheads at the end the decade.
Some projects are specifically designed against the US.
That has included the development of land, sea and air-launched missiles such as the DF-21D ‘carrier killer’ ballistic missile.
China appears to have done two test runs of hypersonic nukes – the first was on July 27th and the second, on August 13th. The weapon, according to some observers, is an improved version of the Soviet concept called a ‘Fractional Orbital Bombardment System’ (or FOBS).
The US, Russia and China are all involved in an arms race which now involves the development hypersonic missile technology. From left, MailOnline has shown a comparison of the major nuclear weapons, latest hypersonic technology tested by each country and their top-of-the-line aircraft carriers, main battle tank, and cutting-edge fighter jets.
In the southwest region of Taiwan, which is self-governing and claims its territory from Beijing, there has been a significant increase in Chinese military aircraft.
Washington supplies Taiwan with a lot of its weapons, and US law demands that the US ensures Taiwan can defend itself. It also requires it to consider threats to Taiwan as grave concerns.
Beijing has also successfully tested a new weapon, which analysts think could be an hypersonic nuclear missile.
Unknown craft orbiting the Earth in low Earth orbit was seen circling Earth twice, before it was brought down.
According to observers, it may be an improved and more deadly version of the Soviet nuclear weapon FOBS. This is an attempt to dodge missile defenses.
China acknowledged that one test was conducted, however it insists that the craft was designed for civilian purposes and the peaceful exploration of outer space.
General Mark Milley was chairman of joint chiefs.
“They [China]These people are clearly challenging the United States in their region, and have aspirations to do so globally.