Beijing’s efforts to expand the already-largest navy in the world have taken a blow with the sinking of China’s first Zhou-class submarine.
It occurs at a time when Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea, which are essential to global trade, have grown more strident.
On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Washington declared that it had no information to share and that it was “not familiar with the situation” about the submarine.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the US source revealed that the vessel most likely sank between May and June when satellite photographs revealed cranes that would be required to raise it off the riverbed.
They noted that it was unclear if nuclear fuel was on board at the time of the sinking or what caused it to sink.
Since then, there have been no known radioactive leaks in the region.
“In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper questions about the PLA’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defence industry,” added the official.
The Chinese Communist Party’s armed wing is called the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
