The South China Morning Post on May 26 reported, quoting an unnamed Chinese military source, that “The escalating tension between China and the United States has reminded Beijing’s leaders that they need to be careful how much they spend on new warships.” The report cited the source as saying an aircraft carrier, once the price of the hi-tech weaponry, control and communications systems, and fighter jets had been added to the basic cost of building the hull, costs about 50 billion yuan (US$7.2 billion). The source added that plans to build the eight next-generation Type 055 destroyers, the largest of its class in China’s fleet with a displacement of more than 12,000 tonnes, also needed to be reconsidered. “Each Type 055 costs over 6 billion yuan to build, which is twice as expensive as a Type 052D, the navy’s current main warship.” Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie, however, said that despite the numbers involved, Beijing planned to establish four aircraft carrier battle groups by 2030, with three combat-ready at any given time.
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