Keywords: China, SCS, anchorage, supply ships, Honghi, Luomahu Typically, supply ships replenish warships, far away from the coast, signaling China’s intent to maintain a durable naval presence in the high seas. China has flown a long range bomber over the disputed Spratly islands and commissioned two naval supply ships, reinforcing its intent to deepen its anchorage in the South China Sea (SCS), in defiance of Tuesday’s ruling by an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague. The Chinese website mil.huanqui.com is reporting that that two large supply ships, Honghi and Luomahu, of 20,000 tonnes each, were commissioned on Friday at an unnamed naval port in the Guangdong province. The reports, if affirmed would yet again underscore Beijing’s intent towards establishing a firmer entrenchment in the SCS.

Source: The Hindu July 17, 2016 14:48 UTC