China expands naval fleet with 71 new vessels since 2020

China has added 71 large warships and submarines to its fleet since 2020, bringing its total number of naval vessels to over 400. According to U.S. official data reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, this puts China approximately 35% ahead of the U.S. Navy in terms of vessel count, although the American fleet maintains a larger total tonnage.

The expansion includes increasingly capable ships designed for operations further from the Chinese coastline. Satellite imagery from May shows multiple vessels, including landing ships, cruisers, destroyers, and frigates, under construction or maintenance on Changxing Island. This includes the 40,000-ton amphibious ship Sichuan, which is designed for drone operations.

China's massive industrial base, which produces more than half of the world's commercial ships, provides a significant advantage for its naval programs. A Pentagon report predicts that by 2035, China could possess nine aircraft carriers, while the U.S. is expected to have 11. Current Chinese naval focus remains centered on Taiwan and the East and South China Seas.