China must have strong navy

China's navy began a drill in West Pacific in late November. On Tuesday, China's aircraft carrier set sail on its second trial run. The two were independent developments, for the aircraft carrier is yet to be commissioned by the navy. But some Western countries have put the two together and began chanting the "Chinese navy threat" slogan all over again.

What they have forgotten is that about 70 percent of the Earth's oceans are international waters, and all countries have equal freedom and rights to navigate and hold military exercises there.

China is a large country with a long coastline. In the past century, the majority of invaders entered China through the seas. For a long time after the founding of New China, the country faced military threats from some big powers and thus had to concentrate its efforts on strengthening its defense on the land borders. Hence, China's navy didn't get the needed attention and lacked an independent strategy, acting as it was in concert with the land and air units in non-amphibious operations.