China s Naval Capabilities

China's Naval Capabilities Rahul Burman THE recent exertion of Chinese authority over the Paracel group or islands in the South China Sea was largely a naval operation involving various arms of the Chinese navy. Missile-boats, landing craft, naval aircraft and marines appear to have been used in a brisk, co-ordinated action against South Vietnamese naval vessels and marines. The Paracels operation seems to indicate careful nurturing and development of Chinese naval strength since 1949.