China issues rules for ship use
China is implementing technical guidelines that will ensure civilian vessels can be mobilised and operated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) during an emergency.
Publicised by state media on 17 June, the national guidelines – known as Technical Standards for New Civilian Ships to Implement National Defence Requirements – require Chinese shipbuilders to design and build new vessels to meet particular military requirements.
State shipbuilders may previously have considered military standards, but private shipbuilders are now also included.
The guidelines are the result of five years of work by the PLA and the China Classification Society (CCS). According to
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