USS Samuel B Roberts (FFG 58) Damage from a Mine Strike Source: U.S. Navy USS Samuel B Roberts (FFG 58) Damage from a Mine Strike Source: U.S. Navy Close

From a maritime standpoint, a much greater concern is the vulnerability of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Most of these run through one or more chokepoints easily infested with mines. Quite apart from the material damage that such a mining campaign might cause, it would have an economic impact out of proportion to its cost if it managed to close down a major port for even a few days. Many of the subprojects explored in this program are concerned with combating this menace and economizing on the investments needed to defend against terrorist attacks.

Mine warfare (including the placement of sea mines) is considered the poor man's option (cheap and very effective), and use of this tactical weapon will likely increase in the future. Look for R&D funding for mine countermeasures to fluctuate wildly over the next few years as the U.S. Navy rushes for funds to cover the threat of the moment.

Aegis Baseline Testing Source: Missile Defense Agency Aegis Baseline Testing Source: Missile Defense Agency Close

The contract provides for Aegis shipboard integration engineering, Aegis test team support, Aegis modernization team engineering support, ballistic missile defense test team support, and AWS element assessments. This contract will cover the AWS ship integration and test efforts for five new-construction DDG 51-class ships, the major modernization of five DDG 51-class ships and the major modernization of six CG 47-class ships. It will additionally cover the integrated combat system modifications and upgrades for all current ships with all AWS baselines up to and including ACB 12.

Work will be performed in San Diego, California (50 percent); Norfolk, Virginia (45 percent); and Camden, New Jersey (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2020. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $8,493,662 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Frigate Luoyang during maritime live-fire training Source: Zhou Pengfei/China Ministry of National Defense Frigate Luoyang during maritime live-fire training Source: Zhou Pengfei/China Ministry of National Defense Close

The act authorizes $717 billion defense spending, the largest in US history, and sets "long-term strategic competition with China" as the United States' "principal priority."

It also includes plans for strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, prohibiting China from future Rim of the Pacific Naval exercises, and creating public report on China's activities in the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for the ministry, said in an online statement that the act interferes with China's internal affairs, stokes Sino-US conflicts, and is full of Cold War mentality.

The act also goes against the one-China policy, damages the development of Sino-US military-to-military relation, and undermines mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, he added.

Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. It is also the most important and sensitive core issues in Sino-US bilateral relation.

"We resolutely oppose any country having any forms of formal and military exchanges with Taiwan, this stance has been consistent and clear," he said. "We will not allow anyone to split Taiwan from China in any way or at any time."

A man cannot prosper without honesty, the same is true for a country, Wu said. "We urge the US to stick to its promises to China regarding Taiwan question, and uphold the one-China policy and the joint communiques made by both nations," he said.

The US should carefully handle Taiwan question to prevent damaging regional peace and security, as well as Sino-US military and bilateral relations, he added.

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