China has demolished a port for the first time using underwater explosives. State media suggested that this tactic could be used against the US if necessary.

The test was carried out by Beijing’s military on Saturday. They used underwater charges to destroy a dummy whale at an undisclosed location in China.

The technology is designed for cutting off enemy supply lines in the case of conflict, according to the state-owned Global Times newspaper. They also stated that sneak attacks using underwater chargers will make large vessels such as US aircraft carriers vulnerable.

It is the latest in an ongoing string of Chinese military testing – including the launch last week of a satellite that the US fears could be used to attack another spacecraft and two tests by an orbital weapon that analysts believe is a hypersonic bomb. 

China has successfully tested underwater explosives to destroy a port, which state media says will be used to destroy American logistics networks in the even of a real war

China successfully tested underwater explosives to demolish a port. State media claims that the explosives will be used to destroy American logistics systems in the event of a war.

Global Times reported on the latest test and said that underwater charges were used for ‘fully demolishing’ a wharf using a powerful explosion’.

The Times stated that sensors installed at the wharf were used for data collection to support attacks on hostile ports in real war’.

It stated that underwater demolitions were a response to changing US tactics on the Pacific. Washington claims that it is dividing its forces among smaller locations rather than concentrating them in one location to reduce the damage from attacks.

This tactic increases logistics operations required to keep large aircraft carriers afloat, according the Times. This makes attacks on infrastructure like ports and wharfs more important.

According to an unnamed military expert, “With ports destroyed, enemy logistic support will fail and a dispersed combat force…will also fail,” he said to the paper.

The test comes just days after the Times reported on Shijian 21’s launch. The paper said that the satellite was launched to test technology to remove space debris.

Washington warns, however, that the same technology – which Washington thinks will take the form a robotic arms – could be used to grapple’ satellites and possibly disable them.

Beijing has launched one ‘debris-clearing’ satellite before – Shijian 17 – which went into space back in 2016.

Although officially designated as a communication satellite for ‘observing’ space debris and not for actual use, the US claims it is actually equipped a robotic arm.

Washington argues that Shijian 17 is in fact a military satellite that is capable of bringing down other orbiting craft.

General James Dickinson of the US Space Command wrote to Congress earlier this month that the satellite could be used in the future to grapple other satellites and was aimed at achieving a’superiority via space-attack systems’ 

China launched the Shijian 21 satellite into orbit on Sunday (pictured), saying it will test technology to clear space debris - the same tech the US warns can destroy other satellites

China launched the Shijian 21 satellite into orbit on Sunday (pictured), saying it will test technology to clear space debris – the same tech the US warns can destroy other satellites

China is thought to have carried out two tests of a hypersonic orbital nuke - the first on July 27 and the second on August 13 this year. Observers believe the 'weapon' is an updated version of a Soviet concept called a 'Fractional Orbital Bombardment System', or FOBS. It is designed to evade powerful US radar systems and anti-missile defences designed to shoot down traditional ICBMs by flying in low-Earth orbit, making it harder to spot, track and destroy

China is believed to have conducted two tests of a hypersonic nuke, the first on July 27, and the second on Aug 13. According to observers, the weapon is an updated Soviet concept known as a ‘Fractional Orbital Bombardment System’ (or FOBS). It is designed to evade powerful US radars and anti-missile defenses. This allows it to fly in low-Earth orbit, making them harder to track, destroy, and spot. 

Two tests were conducted over the summer to determine if there is a new hypersonic orbital nuclear nuke.  

Beijing is believed have tested the weapon twice in July and August. After intelligence sources leaked the information, the tests were only made public last week.

The new weapon is still being assessed by those charged with its assessment. However, they are still trying to figure out what it can do.

China’s launch vehicle orbited the Earth at high speeds before it hit a target, which it missed by around 24 miles, analysts stated.

It appears to be similar in appearance to a Soviet nuclear system from Cold War called FOBS, which was designed to evade defense systems. 

Beijing acknowledged the existence of one test, but denied that it launched a weapon. The craft was intended for civilian use. 

Earlier this week, Xi Jinping urged Chinese scientists and engineers to ‘break new ground in developing weapons to create a world-class’ army.

China’s military budget has grown year-on-year in line with its booming economy since the 1990s.

It was approximately $130 billion when Xi assumed leadership of the country in 2012. In March, the budget for 2021 was revealed to be nearly $210 billion.

The extra money was used to build the country’s first aircraft carrier, with nuclear-powered versions in the making.

China has also produced new tanks and stealth fighter jets, long range bombers, missiles, and drones.

China, the US and Russia are engaged in a global arms race that now includes the development of hypersonic missile technology. Here, the MailOnline has compared (from left) each country's main nuclear weapon, the latest hypersonic technology they have tested, their most up-to-date aircraft carriers, main battle tanks, and cutting-edge jets

The US, Russia and China are all involved in a global arms race which now includes the development hypersonic missile technology. The MailOnline has shown (from left to right) the main nuclear weapons of each country, the most recent hypersonic technology that they have tested, their latest aircraft carriers, main battle tank, and cutting-edge jets. 

The country is currently in the midst a major upgrade to its nuclear forces. They have shown new long-range ICBMs and hypersonic nuclear warheads at a 2019 military parade.

China is building 230 new silos to house its new weaponry. Each silo can hold a nuclear-tipped missile with up to 12 warheads.

Beijing is using its new military hardware for aggressive stances with its neighbors – imposing its rule over Hong Kong, menacing Taiwan, and fighting with Indian troops at the Himalayas.  

It has constructed new military bases on top uninhabited islands in South China Sea, which it claims to be its own, causing friction with the Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysia, and other countries in the region.

Similar disputes have been started in the East China Sea. This angered Japan. 

Beijing claims its intentions to be peaceful, but Washington has been resisting – building new alliances, such as Australia, Japan, India, to counter China’s growing power.

This has strained relations between Beijing, Washington, and Washington, who are also in fierce economic competition with each other.