Hu Jintao: China Should Become Sea Power

08.11.2012 China must be turned into a "maritime power" to protect national interests, said Chinese leader Hu Jintao in Beijing opening the 18-th session of China's communist party.

The communist party convenes in Beijing since Nov 8 through Nov 14. As is expected, after the session Hu Jintao would be replaced with his current assistant Xi Jinping. New Chinese government will be approved right after change of the party leadership.

"We should enhance our capacity for exploiting marine resources, resolutely safeguard China's maritime rights and interests, and build China into a maritime power", reports RIA Novosti citing Hu Jintao.

China disputes with several countries regarding islands in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In particular, there was an acute conflict with Japan over Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands rich in energy resources and purchased from private owners by Japanese government. During escalation of that conflict in Sept 2012, China announced commission of the first own aircraft carrier Liaoning (retrofitted Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser Varyag).

Apart from naval developments, China actively explores sea bosoms. Earlier in 2012, Chinese deep-water submersible Jiaolong dived at a record depth of 7,000 meters near the Mariana Trench.

By 2020, China's gross domestic product and national income per capita should be doubled comparing to 2010, added Hu Jintao.