While Russia was in chaos, the country seemed unusually calm, especially the ordinary people in Shengdou, who did not feel the impact of the collapse of the originally powerful neighbor to the north. Only those of a certain age feel sad when they remember that the Soviet Union, which forced China to "dig holes deep and hoard food widely," no longer exists, or even split into individual countries.
The Chinese official response to the disintegration of the Soviet Union was relatively cold. Basically, they were extremely cautious in their remarks and would not say anything if they could. So far, except for the three Baltic countries, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and other countries, which have been recognized by China and formally established diplomatic relations, China has not hastily recognized several other countries, especially Russia, which has not yet sorted out its civil strife. China has only retained its original position in the Soviet Union. The diplomatic embassy serves as the working unit, but what level the embassy is now is avoided.
What should we do in the country? The economy is still developing rapidly. Various large lectures aimed at improving citizen education have become more popular recently. The era of academic masters has come early. It is the existence of Yi Zhongtian who has not accumulated enough at this time, but some of the more senior qualifications. The academic experts can still burn the last handful. In fact, there are few countries like China where people are so keen on seeking knowledge. Learning itself is a respected thing, and reading and learning are also considered the right path. So when the economic situation improved slightly, various cultural classes appeared, as well as various TV lectures. Qi Yiming felt that they were much better than the variety reality shows that became popular in later generations.
The military is naturally training in an orderly manner and is paying close attention to the situation in the north. Some military regions have also mobilized troops to prepare for changes in the situation in North Asia or Central Asia. However, in the increasingly confusing situation of Russia's division, military newspapers and magazines from all over the world are paying special attention to one thing in China at this time - China's self-built B-10,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Hebei was officially launched.
In the statements made by China's own media, you will never see words like "first ship" or "first ship", because the navy already has two base-produced aircraft carriers of the same type, and the Hebei aircraft carrier was only built independently by the shipyard. Moreover, the two Type 62 aircraft carriers that are now well hidden will actually be brought out sooner or later, so it is not appropriate to talk too much at this time, just briefly introduce the facts. In fact, even so, a large number of domestic and foreign media have made great inferences and speculations about this, and put the name of China's first aircraft carrier on the head of the Hebei.
The Chinese Navy has now established itself as the second largest navy in the world. It is generally believed that its combat power is second only to the massive U.S. Navy. However, such a navy only has a few amphibious assault ships and occasionally uses L fighter jets as guest appearances. Used by aircraft carriers. China does not have an aircraft carrier that can truly take off heavy fighter jets and can perfectly conduct air superiority operations or ground strikes.
The outside world has been dumbfounded by the rapid development of China's military power. Many experts are predicting when China will have a real aircraft carrier of its own. There are also different opinions on what kind of aircraft carrier this aircraft carrier is: some people think that it will be more inclined to a slightly enlarged version of the Chinese amphibious assault ship, because China already has better experience and templates in building amphibious ships; some people think that it is possible Modeled after the Soviet Union's Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers, it adopts a ski-jump take-off method; others believe that China will obtain relevant important technologies from the United States and build a ship more like an American aircraft carrier.
In fact, the Type 62 aircraft carrier is indeed more like the US military's aircraft carrier. In appearance, the Type 62 aircraft carrier is more like the American Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier, but the flight deck is wider, and the island is built more neatly, and uses a phased array. Radar and close-in defense missiles. Other aspects, such as the setting of the catapult and take-off point, the setting of the elevator and many other features, are more or less similar to the Kitty Hawk. Of course, the Type 62 aircraft carrier is nuclear-powered, while the Kitty Hawk is conventionally powered, so its combat capabilities are not the same.
Basically no one thought that China would directly embark on such a project without any attempts or tests. Although the 80,000-ton heavy-duty nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is slightly smaller than the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, its combat capabilities are actually not that high. How much difference will there be?
During the launching ceremony of the Hebei aircraft carrier, senior military officials such as the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of the General Staff attended the ceremony. Senior General Liu Huaqing, who is already the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, also attended the launching ceremony. Qi Yiming had no choice but to come. He was mixed in with the team at the shipyard and didn't look like a high-ranking official, but people who knew him always came over to say hello and say hello.
Qi Yiming simply stood next to Liu Huaqing in the end. Liu Huaqing and Qi Yiming were also familiar with each other. Seeing him coming over, he smiled slightly and said: "No one thought that I would be able to see the aircraft carrier built by China being launched in my lifetime."
¡°The Hubei and Shandong are also China¡¯s aircraft carriers,¡± Qi Yiming said.
Liu Huaqing smiled and said: "Sometimes it feels unreal when I get it directly from you, but on this Hebei, every steel plate and every screw is independently produced by our country. There is a uniqueSuch a sense of solidity. An 80,000-ton aircraft carrier built by our country was something I would have never imagined ten years ago."
Liu Huaqing patted Qi Yiming on the shoulder and said, "Thank you, Xiao Qi."
Qi Yiming felt a little embarrassed and said: "Everyone is actually serving the country. When the country is strong and the army is strong, everyone is happy, but in different positions and ways."
Liu Huaqing did not refute him. Although everyone knew that Qi Yiming was really an irreplaceable character, he was so humble that there was no need to go back. He then presided over the launching ceremony of the aircraft carrier. The whole ceremony was short but grand. Even many workers and engineers at Dalian Shipyard were moved to tears when they saw the ribbons falling.
"Mr. Liu, where will this ship be deployed after it becomes an army?" Qi Yiming asked.
Liu Huaqing smiled and said: "This is considered a secret, but you are not someone who can be stopped by secrets. There are discussions within the Navy that we can ensure sufficient combat capabilities in the Western Pacific waters, and Taiwan is the base for the eastward departure. The South China Sea can also become our barrier, a large number of shore-based aviation forces can be deployed, and we also have a large number of shore-to-ship missiles, so the urgency of deploying aircraft carriers is not very high. Our plan to seize control of the Indian Ocean in our ten-year strategy is ongoing. Implementation, and obviously an amphibious battle group deployed in Gwadar is absolutely insufficient. Our Hambantota Port is almost completed. In Myanmar, we also intend to develop a base for the navy to moor and supply, so that we can An aircraft carrier battle group is deployed in one of these two places and rotates regularly to maintain our control and deterrence in the Indian Ocean."
After hearing this, Qi Yiming couldn't help but smile knowingly and said: "If this matter spreads, India's reaction will probably be huge. They haven't gotten over the Gwadar incident yet. If we reach out to Sri Lanka again, With Myanmar and India, it is estimated that they will have trouble sleeping and eating.¡±
Liu Huaqing didn't take it seriously and said calmly: "This is the string of pearls strategy. We will use this string of pearls to lock India into the subcontinent and better ensure the smoothness and safety of our shipping routes.
In fact, China's string of pearls strategy to blockade India is very similar to the island chain strategy of the United States and Japan to blockade the Soviet Union and China. Although the string of pearls will not completely lock down India, the Chinese navy, which is far more powerful than the Indian navy in these areas, is firmly entrenched Controls the route and may cause a devastating blow to the Indian Navy at any time. At this time, the Indian Navy did not yet have the ability to fight in oceans, and it did not have much ambition to go to the ocean, but at least it knew how to allow others to sleep soundly beside the bed. Moreover, there are still large territorial disputes between China and India. If China and India enter a state of war again, India will not only face attacks from the Chinese army and air force in the north, but also attacks from the navy fleet and marines in the south. Putting this seemingly large but actually weak country into a huge crisis.
After the two talked about this topic, Liu Huaqing changed the subject and asked with a smile: "I heard that Thailand is currently in contact with your Shenghua Company, saying that they want to build a light aircraft carrier?"
Qi Yiming nodded and said with a smile: "It's true. Thailand wants to spend about 400 million US dollars to purchase a light aircraft carrier with a displacement of over 10,000. It is roughly the same idea as the British Invincible class, using L fighters as weapons, and the construction period is required As short as possible, the ship can be delivered within five years. It is easy for us to provide supporting equipment to Thailand. Our experience in building this kind of ship, plus our weapon system, can be put in place. But I am not very satisfied with the price, 400 million US dollars. A little less.¡±
Liu Huaqing shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Have you made so much money that you no longer care about small money? Yes, we sell a warship for more than 200 million U.S. dollars, and the external sales in 2005 can even reach 400 million U.S. dollars. But these ships are all ships that we have put a lot of effort into and are equipped with the best weapon systems and avionics systems. Now the Royal Thai Navy wants to pounce on a small area like the Gulf of Thailand, and the South China Sea is now our country¡¯s bathtub. Well, the symbolic significance of this aircraft carrier is far greater than the actual combat significance. In this case, you don't have to pick anything too good to install. It depends on the situation and it will look like a modern aircraft carrier. It doesn't need to be very advanced. After this deal is negotiated, there are still helicopters and fighter jets that can be negotiated. Besides, even if your business is 400 million US dollars, more than half of it must be oil and water."
Qi Yiming smiled innocently. This is true. The arms business he does basically has several times the interest rate spread, and it is an absolute huge profit. Even if a light aircraft carrier is sold for 400 million US dollars, he can at least make it. Earning at least more than 200 million US dollars, this is pure profit, so the most he can do is complain, he is bound to win this order.