China's newly launched amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, transforms landing tactics and minimizes the enemy's ability to retaliate with its strong comprehensive combat capability, said a senior Chinese military expert on Friday.
Du Wenlong, the senior military expert, made the statement in an interview with China Central Television to comment on the country's first Type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship which was launched in Shanghai earlier in the day.
The independently-developed warship has a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons and features a dual-island superstructure along with a full-length flight deck. It also incorporates innovative electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies, enabling it to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment.
"With amphibious assault ships, particularly with formations consisting of Type 076 and Type 075, our landing tactics will become multidimensional. In the past, landings were made with tanks and other sea-crossing equipment charging onto the beach. Now, we have helicopters, drones, and carrier-based aircraft taking off from the deck to launch precise attacks. This marks a crucial transition from flat, one-dimensional landings to more advanced, multidimensional approaches," Du said.
The military expert also said that the warship has a longer range and ensures faster landing speed.
"Secondly, the speed of landings will increase significantly. In the past, there was a huge difference between the speed of ships and aircraft. If we can quickly exert strong military pressure on the enemy's coastline in a short period of time, especially in the depth of the front at the same time to exert strong military pressure, the intensity of our attack will be further increased. Besides, we can launch attacks from positions further away from the enemy's coastline, making it harder for them to retaliate. Many countries refer to operations that engage amphibious assault ships as operations beyond the horizon. Such a way of attack marks a big change from traditional landing operations," Du said.
As the new-generation amphibious assault ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, the Sichuan plays a key role in advancing the Navy's transformation and enhancing its combat capabilities in the far seas.
Following its launch, the ship will undergo a series of planned tests, including equipment commissioning, mooring tests, and sea trials.
The Navy unveiled its inaugural 075-class amphibious assault ship, the Hainan, in Shanghai back in 2019. The Hainan officially entered service in April 2021. Two more Type 075 amphibious assault ships, the Guangxi and the Anhui, have also been commissioned.
China's newly launched amphibious assault ship boasts enhanced landing capabilities: expert
China will continue to implement a series of more proactive and effective macro policies in 2026 to keep driving the country's economic development, said one of the drafters of the government work report, which was submitted Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation.
Chen Changsheng, also deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference held in Beijing on Thursday.
Chen said one of the reasons for continuing implementing more proactive and effective macro policies is to respond to the external environment.
In 2026, China is facing significant uncertainty both at home and abroad, and the country is also confronting strong supply and weak demand, with a gap in its aggregate demand remaining, he said.
Chen said it is necessary for the country to step up policy adjustment and use the certainty of macro policies to offset the uncertainty.
"Compared with other countries around the world, China's overall government debt ratio, particularly that of the central government, remains relatively low. There is still room for cuts in required reserve ratios and interest rates. Besides, there is also room for innovation in the policy mix. At the same time, continuing these policies also aims to send a signal to the society of continuing regulation through macro policies," said Chen.
Chen said China's macro policies will be implemented with greater intensity and wider scope in 2026.
"The deficit-to-GDP ratio remains at 4 percent, a relatively high level in history. The net increase in the deficit stands at 230 billion yuan (over 33 billion U.S. dollars). The scale of newly added government debt comes in at 11.89 trillion yuan, also a record high. Additionally, this year's general budget is expected to exceed 30 trillion yuan. More importantly, its net increase will reach 1.27 trillion yuan. All these demonstrate the stability of our macro and fiscal policies. Similarly, monetary policy will continue to be appropriately accommodative. Besides, we will flexibly employ policies such as cuts to required reserve ratios and interest rates to ensure ample liquidity. We will also implement policies such as policy-based monetary and financial tools with greater intensity and wider scope, with an aim to reduce financing costs across the whole society and support the real economy," said Chen.
The macro policies will also be more targeted and effective, he said.
"In terms of fiscal policy, special emphasis has been placed on deepening zero-based budgeting reforms, with the inefficiently and poorly used funds to be reallocated to more effective areas. The reform had been implemented for a period of time last year and had achieved some results. This year, efforts will be intensified. Additionally, we will further optimize the expenditure structure and make better use of existing funds to boost consumption, invest in people, and increase spending in people's wellbeing. Structural monetary policies will be improved to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tech enterprises, and the expansion of domestic demand," said Chen.
China to continue implementing more proactive, effective macro policies to drive economic growth in 2026: official
China to continue implementing more proactive, effective macro policies to drive economic growth in 2026: official
