For the first time in over 40 years, China
has revealed its first fleet of nuclear submarines.
Showing them taking part in training drills
and simulating actual combat, the subs even
fired rockets from under the water.
While the submarines on show were the country's
older generation of nuclear vessels - their
display gave the strongest sign of its military's
growing confidence... which has raised concerns
in the region.
In June, the US said Chinese warships had
started patrolling its exclusive economic
zone - and then, a month later, Chinese destroyers
passed through the straits between Russia
and Japan for the first time. In response,
the Pentagon has said it would increase the
number of US ships deployed to the Pacific
- as part of the Obama administration's "pivot"
to Asia.
