© Shutterstock

Largest navy in the world -

China holds the largest navy force in the world in terms of numbers. As it continues to rapidly modernize, its ambitions to add nuclear-powered carriers offer a clear challenge to the United States.

© Getty Images

Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier -

Rumors of China’s plan to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier were recently confirmed by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California.

© Getty Images

Prototype -

Research shows that China has built a prototype of a nuclear reactor for a large surface warship. This move marks a clear advancement toward the country’s goal of producing its first nuclear-powered carrier.

© Getty Images

Plutonium or tritium -

The researchers from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies were initially looking into a reactor to produce either plutonium or tritium for weapons in a mountainous region just outside the southwest province of Sichuan.

© Shutterstock

Base 909 -

Satellite images, personnel files, and other evidence revealed that China was actually building a prototype reactor for a big warship in a Nuclear Power Institute of China site known as Base 909.

© Getty Images

The 701 Institute -

Documentation shows that the institute responsible for aircraft carrier development, 701 Institute, also known as China Ship Research and Design Center, procured equipment to install a reactor on a significantly ample warship.

© Getty Images

Active assembly -

The institute concluded that approximately 112 km (70 mi) outside Chengdu a prototype reactor for naval propulsion was being assembled.

© Getty Images

Longer process -

Although the process to produce a nuclear carrier is much longer than its conventional counterpart, the benefits of their capabilities are extensive.

© Getty Images

US and France -

The only two countries to have nuclear-powered carriers are the United States and France. The United States alone has 11 carriers.

© Getty Images

Advanced systems -

Nuclear carriers are able to generate more power to run advanced systems, contain more space for weapons and fuel needed to run an aircraft, and can remain at sea for long periods of time, as they don’t need to consider refueling needs.

© Getty Images

Innovations -

Advanced systems include innovative radars, technologically-advanced weaponry, and electromagnetic launchers, among other cutting-edge innovations.

© Getty Images

Strategic steps -

This effort feeds into Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitions to be able to strategically dominate maritime spaces, particularly those outside of Chinese territory.

© Getty Images

Nuclear ambitions -

While Chinese authorities have yet to confirm the conclusions published by researchers, it seems likely that this is the direction that China is heading, regardless if its efforts are already underway or still in the theoretical phase.

© Getty Images

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace -

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that: “Nuclear-powered carriers would place China in the exclusive ranks of first-class naval powers.”

© Shutterstock

Base 909 -

Although researchers were unable to determine if the reactor is yet operational, Base 909 hosts six other reactors that are either operational or under construction.

© Getty Images

Satellite images -

Satellite images aggregated between 2020-2023 illustrate the construction of a water site, as well as the demolition of homes surrounding the area close to the prospective reactor construction site.

© Shutterstock

Steam generators and turbine pumps -

Documents collected as part of the research include contracts for steam generators and turbine pumps. These elements are all in line with naval propulsion reactors.

© Shutterstock

Oslo Nuclear Project -

Researchers at the Oslo Nuclear Project reviewed the research report, determining that the argument made by the Middlebury researchers is persuasive.

© Shutterstock

Open Nuclear Network -

While there is still a great deal of uncertainty pertaining to the details of the project’s operations, the Open Nuclear Network echoes that the researchers’ findings are both “thorough” and “compelling.”

© Shutterstock

Fleet -

China currently holds three carriers: the Liaoning, Shandong, and the Type 003 Fujian. All three carriers are conventionally powered. The first two carriers consist of Soviet design, one of which is a repurposed Soviet ship. They both use what’s called a ski-jump method to launch aircraft.

© Getty Images

Fujian -

The Fujian, on the other hand, was designed and built in China, the first of its kind. Similar to what the United States Navy uses on its conventional ship, the launch system is electromagnetic-esque.

© Shutterstock

Fourth carrier -

Before China even began testing the Fujian, the country already confirmed their production of a fourth carrier, but without confirmation if the entity would be nuclear powered.

© Getty Images

Institute for Strategic Studies -

The Institute for Strategic Studies notes that “larger carriers more akin to [China’s] US counterparts will give them more options to project power.”

© Shutterstock

First Island Chain -

Analysts believe that the most strategic locations that China will first seek to operate these carriers is where disputed territories lie, perhaps those of their allies as well, along the First Island Chain.

© Getty Images

Taiwan -

The First Island Chain includes Taiwan. While Taiwan considers itself an autonomous, independent nation, China considers Taiwan its territory and has consistently promised to retrieve it.

© Shutterstock

Taiwan-US relations -

Taiwan has the backing of the United States in terms of security, weaponry, and agreements to provide assistance in the case of reoccupation.

© Getty Images

Tensions between US and China -

The tensions between the United States and China are on full display as the Chinese government continues surpassing innovation in almost every sector, leaving the United States nervously attempting to catch up.

© Getty Images

Belt and Road Initiative -

China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which focuses on international partnerships for infrastructural development, also poses a threat to American geopolitical interests, as nearly every country has entered some sort of agreement to collaborate with China along these lines.

© Shutterstock

Rapid modernization -

Although China’s military capacity is still not nearly as developed as America’s, its rapid modernization, increasing demands, and exploratory air operations set the tone for what may lie ahead between the nations.

Sources: (AP News) (CNN) (Business Insider)

See also: Decoding the G20—Why it shapes the global agenda

© Getty Images