China upgrades its carrier and pushes its ocean claims – China’s latest political and current affairs news

China has made a “breakthrough” in its naval jet launch system, enhancing the efficiency of the Type 002, the country’s newest homegrown aircraft carrier, the South China Morning Post reports.

• A naval engineering team “developed a medium-voltage, direct-current transmission network to replace an earlier system based on alternating current” so that the conventionally powered Type 002 could be equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.
• The system “would mean less wear and tear on the planes and allow more aircraft to be launched in a shorter time than the ski and steam-catapult systems.”
• Other naval powers such as the United States have nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, so they face a different set of technological challenges, but China has been seeking to make the best use of its conventionally powered ships. Several military sources also boasted to the SCMP that the technology surpassed the jet launch technology of some U.S. aircraft carriers.
• An expert in military technology told the SCMP that the new technology could in the future also be used to launch missiles and satellites.

Meanwhile, China has continued to expand its military footprint in the ocean south and east of its mainland:

• Military Times reports that “China has practiced bombing runs targeting the U.S. territory of Guam,” part of a “daily, aggressive campaign to contest airspace over the East China Sea, South China Sea and beyond.” Officials also said that U.S.-Chinese aircraft intercepts are broadly increasing.
• Reuters analyzed satellite photos that revealed “China continuing to develop facilities on North and Tree Islands in the contested Paracel Islands,” and also reported that some military and security experts “expect China to land its first deployments of jet fighters onto its runways in the Spratly Islands in coming months.”

• U.S.-China relations
  Donald Trump to ‘pressure Xi Jinping at summit over forced tech transfer’ / SCMP
  The problem facing Trump’s China probe / BBC
  “Just six companies have proved willing to come forward with complaints” about having intellectual property stolen in China.
  Trump to get ‘State visit-plus’ experience in China / Global Times
  “Trump will receive a ‘State visit-plus’ featuring a military honor guard, official talks, formal banquet and ‘special arrangements’ during his first State visit to China next week, Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., told reporters Monday.”
  Former business partner appeals to U.S. to repatriate fugitive tycoon Guo Wengui / SCMP
  Russia investigation charges complicate Trump’s Asia trip, ability to sell tax cuts / Washington Post
• Hong Kong
  Hong Kong’s ‘committee trick’ is old hat and won’t placate frustrated youth / SCMP
  Hong Kong seeks law banning booing of China’s national anthem / Reuters
  Friend says Hong Kong bookseller Gui freed, now with family / AP
• Korean Peninsula
  South Korea’s Moon says cannot recognize North Korea as nuclear state / Reuters
• Southeast Asia
  China and Asean mount maritime exercises in calmer diplomatic waters / SCMP
  Malaysia and China: The new ‘lips and teeth’ duo / Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
• Energy and environment
  Renewable power wastage declined during Jan-Sept: NEA / Reuters
  2 jailed, fined for dumping 23,000 tonnes of waste on island in China’s Lake Tai / SCMP
  China to move closer to starting national carbon market / Bloomberg
• Police and security
  Security shake-up in store as new names tapped to run China’s police and intelligence services  / SCMP