Sky News: China and America have been showing off their respective military strength amid simmering tensions between the two world powers.
Footage has been released of a next-generation US Navy warship, which has passed its sea trials, paving the way for it to enter active service later this year.
The futuristic 389ft-long USS Detroit can travel at more than 40 knots using water jet propulsion and is able to operate in as little as 14ft of water.
The vessel, built by the defence giant Lockheed Martin, will be based in San Diego, California, after it is commissioned in October, and can be adapted for three different missions – submarine warfare, surface or anti-surface warfare and mine countermeasures.
Footage of the latest US military hardware being put through its paces was unveiled as Chinese combat planes carried out live-fire exercises over the strategic East China Sea, where it is in dispute with close US allies Japan and Taiwan over the contested Senkaku/Daioyu islands.
The air drills were aimed at strengthening the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) ability to respond to threats from both surface and air, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, which showed footage of the exercises.
China has also criticised the deployment of an advanced US anti-missile system by South Korea, aimed at countering the threat from the North.
Beijing is concerned the system’s radar will be able to tack its military capabilities.
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said: “The recent move by the South Korean side has harmed the foundation of mutual trust between the two countries.”
China’s military has also said the US “must stop this kind of mistaken action”.
Another potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing is the South China Sea.
China claims most of the region as sovereign territory, but the US argues they are international waters.
