Experts warn of dangers of miscalculation with Chinese warships at an all-time high World News

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An expert said the risk of miscalculation between Western and Chinese warships in the South China Sea is the highest ever.

With many foreign navies sailing through what they consider international waters near China, the chance of Xi Jinping’s navy firing a misinterpreted warning shot grows.

Meanwhile, China has for the first time equipped its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines with JL-3 missiles believed to have a range of up to 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles) – enough to strike the US mainland from within its own waters.

Washington considers Beijing’s actions in the region “the most comprehensive and most serious challenge to US national security.”

In its latest National Defense Strategy published in early November, the US Department of Defense criticized China’s “coercive and increasingly aggressive efforts to reshape the Indo-Pacific region and international order to suit its authoritarian interests and preferences.”

Beijing criticized the report, saying it “distorts” China and distorts normal military growth.

“Countries that prioritize their own interests above everyone else and unite on ‘integrated deterrence’ in the Asia-Pacific region are the real ‘speed challenge’ for the international system and the region,” said ministry spokesman Tan Kefei, as quoted by the South China Morning Post. .

“The strong Chinese army … is also a steadfast force for maintaining peace and stability in the world and the region,” he added.

An analyst says the risk of armed conflict is at an all-time high

“I think the Western powers, the NATO powers, are very concerned about what China is doing in this region,” says Rizwan Rahmat, principal defense analyst at Guinness Intelligence.

Speaking to Sky News, he said more and more Western countries are deploying navies in the South China Sea – now including Canada, Germany, France and Australia – and this is increasing tensions.

“It created a form of tinderbox in this part of the world,” he said.

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1:05 Sky’s Asia correspondent Helen Ann Smith shows some of the military aircraft on display at the China Military Airshow.

“I think there is a very high chance of miscalculation from any of these navies.

“This is something we’re watching very closely, because as China grows, and as more and more of these navies are deployed, the chances of miscalculation increase by the year.”

Asked if the risk of such miscalculation was the highest of all, Rahmat answered yes.

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Chinese submarines equipped with JL-3 missiles

Chinese submarines are now equipped with JL-3 missiles, which are said to have a range of up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi).

Such a range would allow China to strike the US mainland from within its territory, and the fact that these missiles can be launched from underwater makes things more difficult.

“The problem with launching the submarine is that you are unable to detect the submarine,” says Rahmat.

“When you are not able to detect this point of release, it makes it very difficult to calculate the potential point of impact and destruction and what kind of defensive maneuvers can be taken to overcome it,” he continues.

Rahmat says this development marks a “change of attitude” in terms of thinking about Chinese naval warfare.

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