China's development and construction of the Type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship targets no specific entity, region or country, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said on Friday.
China launched its first Type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship in Shanghai last month. Named after southwest China's Sichuan Province, the independently-developed new vessel was put into the water at a launch and naming ceremony.
Responding to a media query on the matter, Wu Qian, the spokesman, said: "It is a common practice for countries around the world to develop weapons and equipment according to national defense requirements. China's independent development and construction of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship is a normal arrangement consistent with China's national security needs and the overall development of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. The goal is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and better maintain peace and stability in the region and the world at large."
"The vessel is a new-type amphibious assault ship independently developed by China. It applies electromagnetic catapult and arresting technology, and can carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and amphibious equipment, among others. The ship has strong capabilities for amphibious and far-seas operations. After its launching, the ship will conduct equipment adjustments, mooring trials and sea trials as planned," Wu said.
"China has always been committed to the path of peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. The launching of the ship is a normal arrangement in the equipment development of the PLA Navy. It is not targeted at any specific entity, region or country," Wu added.
China's construction of type 076 amphibious assault ship targets no specific entity, region, country: spokesman
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Tuesday that if the U.S. army crosses the red line in attacking civilian targets, Iran's response "will go beyond the region."
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said: "We will not hesitate to retaliate vile aggressions against civilian facilities."
It came as tensions rose on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump made a social media post in which he threatened Iran's "whole civilization will die tonight," if they fail to meet the deadline he had set to reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a possible sharp escalation of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
On the same day, the IRGC announced that as part of the 99th wave of its ongoing "Operation True Promise 4," it has launched attacks on more than 30 targets across central, southern, and inland areas of Israel, covering Rishon LeZion and Petah Tikva in Central Israel, Beersheba, Dimona, and Arad in Negev region, and around ten locations in Tel Aviv.
It added that further retaliations would intensify, with Israeli industrial facilities, infrastructure and military bases all identified as potential targets.
The IRGC also said on Tuesday it had carried out strikes on U.S. bases and other targets in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as on military command centers in the occupied Palestinian territories as part of the 99th wave of its operation.
According to the statement, the operations, jointly conducted by the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force, carried out attacks with ballistic and cruise missiles along with attack drones in response to earlier strikes on petrochemical plants and affiliated facilities in Iran's southern coastal city of Asaluyeh.
The IRGC further claimed it had launched a long-range missile attack against the U.S. Navy's Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is reportedly deployed in the Indian Ocean.
Separately, media reports said a large petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia's Jubail, which was owned by a U.S. company, was hit by medium-range missiles and drones.
Another container vessel, reportedly linked to Israel and believed to be preparing to transport military equipment from the Khor Fakkan port in the United Arab Emirates, was also said to have been struck.
Iran's IRGC vows "beyond the region" response if US hits civilian targets
