The Chinese Navy has been strengthening itself, and its advancement towards the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is a clear indication of its intentions to consolidate itself as a leading naval and military power. This movement not only impacts the Asia-Pacific region but also has global repercussions on international security and stability. Tong Zhao from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace pointed out that the implementation of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers would place China in an exclusive position alongside first-class naval powers like the United States and France.
Recent research has revealed that China is building a prototype of a land-based nuclear reactor intended for a large warship, representing a significant advancement towards the production of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The construction of ports in different parts of the world, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, reflects China's interest in expanding its naval influence. This development poses a potential challenge to the naval supremacy of the United States, which currently has eleven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers capable of projecting power globally.
Base 909, a new facility housing an operational nuclear reactor in China, is a significant step in its quest to control the seas and become a global military power. Without dominance over the oceans, China's ambitions to project power and secure strategic interests would be limited. This naval ambition not only has military implications but also fuels nationalism and internal prestige.
The China Nuclear Energy Institute, through the China National Nuclear Corporation, controls Base 909, which houses six reactors at different stages of operation and construction. China seeks to become a first-rate naval power, as demonstrated by the growth of the People's Liberation Army Navy, which currently has more than 370 ships and submarines. The balance of power in the world's oceans could be altered as China continues to expand its naval capability in an effort to solidify its position globally.
