New Chinese nuclear attack submarine sank during construction, US defense official says

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior U.S. defense official says satellite imagery shows that China’s newest nuclear submarine sank while under construction. The official said Thursday that the submarine sank likely between May and June, when satellite images showed cranes that would be necessary to lift it off the bottom of the river. China has been building up its naval fleet at a breakneck pace, and the U.S. considers China’s rise one of its main future security concerns. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday he was not familiar with the topic thus could not provide any information. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details about the submarine.