he mission of the fleet is to protect China’s coastal waters and project naval power in out of area’ regions to influence Beijing’s political aims. China has the world’s largest arsenal of naval mines, ready to be used to protect its littoral waters in time of conflict. It also has a new naval base on Hainan Island which has up to 20 bomb-proof pens to shelter China’s nuclear boats from spy satellites - as well as allowing them to be maintained and re-supplied out of sight. At the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy is shaping its next phase of power projection in the South China Sea. The top secret Yulin Naval Base is the most strategically important military base in the South China Sea. Much of the South Sea Fleet’s submarine force is already based at the island. Beijing is also developing a carrier capability allowing it to project air power well beyond its international waters with plans for as many as five to be built. President Xi Jinping is the driving force behind the modernisation of the military as he steers forward his pledge to make China the most powerful country in the world and control trade in the Far East. China maintains these aims while pursuing a policy to squeeze the United States and Western powers out of the Asia - Pacific region. In 2020, the United States Office of Naval Intelligence confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has surpassed the United States Navy in the total number of ships in service with approximately 360 in the Chinese fleet compared to 297 in the United States
