{"id":41489,"date":"2018-09-10T14:35:13","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T14:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/09\/10\/china-develops-new-sea-plane-largest-amphib-aircraft-today\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:47:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:47:01","slug":"china-develops-new-sea-plane-largest-amphib-aircraft-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2018\/09\/10\/china-develops-new-sea-plane-largest-amphib-aircraft-today\/","title":{"rendered":"China develops new sea plane, largest amphib aircraft today"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING \u2014 This is a weekly look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHINA SUCCESSFULLY TESTS NEW SEA PLANE<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Chinese media report says a newly developed sea plane that could expand the military\u2019s room to operate in the South China Sea has passed a series of on-water tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China Aviation News<\/a> said the AG600 Kunlong undertook the water maneuvering and low-speed flight trials on a lake in the central province of Hubei<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China says the plane is the largest amphibious aircraft currently in use, boasting a length of 37 meters (120 feet) and a wingspan of 39 meters (127 feet), making it about the size of a Boeing 737<\/a>. It has a range of 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles), a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tons and is designed for handling in choppy seas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While built partly for tasks such as fighting forest fires and maritime search and rescue operations, the Kunlong is also capable of transporting large numbers of troops and military equipment to China\u2019s South China Sea claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A promotional video produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China<\/a>, China\u2019s main manufacturer of civilian and military aircraft, showed the four-propeller seaplane making its maiden flight in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHINA DENOUNCES PASSAGE OF BRITISH SHIP<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

China denounced the passage of the British warship HMS Albion close to Chinese-claimed islands in the South China Sea\u2019s Paracel group, in a development that could affect negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement between the sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said last week that China\u2019s navy \u201cconducted identification and verification over the relevant British warship in accordance with law and warned it off the waters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Albion reportedly passed by the islands on Aug. 31 while sailing from Japan to Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship\u2019s passage \u201cinfringes on China\u2019s sovereignty,\u201d Hua said. \u201cWe strongly urge the British side to immediately stop such provocations so as to avoid undermining the general picture of China-UK relations and regional peace and stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An editorial in the official newspaper China Daily referred to an agreement to explore a free trade pact after Britain leaves the European Union, but warned that \u201cany act that harms China\u2019s core interests will only put a spanner in the works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reckless actions by the British navy to challenge China\u2019s sovereignty can only be explained by the country wanting to curry favor with the United States,\u201d the paper said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Navy routinely draws China\u2019s ire by sailing past Chinese-held islands in what are known as \u201cfreedom of navigation operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
In this photo provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Navy ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar is seen after it ran aground during a routine patrol in the vicinity of Half Moon Shoal off the disputed Spratlys Group of islands in the South China Sea. The Philippine navy extricated one of its largest warships from the shoal where it ran aground in August near a hotly disputed region in the South China Sea. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PHILIPPINES EXTRICATES GROUNDED WARSHIP<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Philippine navy extricated one of its largest warships from the shoal where it ran aground late last month near a hotly disputed region in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two Philippine security officials told The Associated Press that tugboats were used to pull the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from the shallow fringes of Half Moon Shoal, which the Philippines calls Hasa Hasa. The military later confirmed the successful extrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\t