Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: China’s Shanghai-class gunboat developed

reporter/Weidong Xu

Recently, the Government of East Timor to buy Chinese patrol boats led to the Australian news media attention. China and East Timor for defense cooperation between the normal, showing some of the Australian media being left out of jealousy. But analysts believe that indeed, there is a balance in East Timor in Australia buy Chinese warships influence considerations.

Chinese patrol the upper hand

Australia “Brisbane Times” reported on the 7th, two 43 meters long, equipped with 30 mm caliber gun before the Chinese navy patrol boats, will begin service in East Timor. Reported that, on the Australian Government and the Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao four-party coalition government of tension when the 1960s-designed 175-ton “Shanghai” class patrol boats arrived in East Timor. According to the Australian Broadcasting Network 8, disclosed in a recent military parade on East Timor will officially receive the two Chinese-made patrol boats. Reported that Australia had previously proposed to allow East Timor to join the “long-endurance Pacific patrol boat project”, and following the argument, but “apparently accounted for the Chinese side had opportunities.”

Ministry of defense and security in East Timor in a statement that the Chinese crew of these boats will initially be driving, while East Timor, the crew will be trained in the above. Previously, East Timor, the Portuguese Navy’s major equipment manufacturing “Albatross” class ships, the hull has been unable to meet the needs of the smaller. And China’s “Shanghai” class patrol boats can travel 1,000 km in the land without the support of the case, the deployment at sea a week. East Timor State Secretary Confucianism Rialto Maxipime care that they purchase these ships are within the exclusive economic zone in East Timor in response to illegal actions and emergency measures.

Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian relations between China and East Timor expert Yien Si Road, Ray believes that this two patrol boats to protect the fishermen used to perform the task, “In this sense, they had no strategy value of neighboring countries, so no need to worry about. “

balance the influence of Australia

East Timor buy Chinese patrol boats this is voluntary, but some Australian media have begin unwarranted speculation, and showing obvious jealousy. Australian Radio Network’s article speculated that China is rich in oil and gas resources to East Timor in developing countries such offer patrol boats, will undoubtedly strengthen the regional influence. The “Sydney Morning Herald,” the article said, “East Timor from the first Chinese companies to buy these gunboats did not negotiate with Australia, Australia from 2006 stationed in East Timor, hundreds of troops.”

However, Australia Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “regarding the procurement of patrol boats in East Timor and China is a bilateral matter between the two countries, Australia is very pleased to 36 (of East Timor Defence) to provide English language training, for training in China ready to accept control of patrol boats. “

observers in East Timor, said the relationship between Australia and East Timor, now East Timor’s independence in 2002, the lowest point since. In a recent speech, Prime Minister Gusm?o attacked the Woodside Petroleum giant Sunrise in the Timor Sea region build a floating liquefied natural gas platform project. East Timor, the media quoted him as saying that the East Timorese people must unite to prevent theft of their wealth in Australia. Stora mine that the government of East Timor to China procurement ships, intended to tell Canberra, with the exception of Australia, the Timor-Leste, there are other defense partners.