You have commented 375 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
China-Japan-Koreas
Four Chinese supertankers are heading back to China from Iran
2026-04-15
Enjoy your little triumph, guys. It may be the last for a while.

Translated Text:

Shortly after the announcement of the American blockade, four Chinese supertankers—the *COSCO Everest*, the *Hai Rong Hai*, the *Jin Hai Hua*, and the *Jiu Yang Bonansa*—did not turn back or interrupt their route despite the American blockade, but continued on toward the exit of the Persian Gulf, in accordance with their original itineraries.

China issued a statement asserting that the passage of its ships through the strait was a legitimate act and that the United States had no reason to interfere.

This assurance was based on the fact that the Type 054A guided-missile frigate *Daqing*, stationed about 500 nautical miles to the west of the strait, in the northern Arabian Sea, had been present there for more than a week. This warship, which had just participated in a joint Sino-Pakistani exercise, did not return with the fleet but instead proceeded independently and anchored at a strategic position near the Strait of Hormuz.

The presence of a Chinese warship proved sufficiently deterrent.
This is exactly what I had anticipated.

The American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be violated by naval powers capable of sending warships into the area and unwilling to be intimidated by Uncle Sam.

Only force is respected.

The Chinese Navy boasts more ultra-modern ships than the US Navy.
China produces at a steady pace, adding the equivalent of a medium-sized national navy every two years. Between 2019 and 2023, its four main shipyards produced 39 major warships, bringing the fleet to more than 370 ships and submarines, making it the largest navy in the world.
America definitely needs to quickly upgrade their shipbuilding capabilities in addition to procurement of missiles and such.
Production capacity includes aircraft carriers (three active as of March 16, 2026), destroyers, frigates, and submarines.

China is the world's top shipbuilder in terms of gross tonnage, reaching 39 million tons in 2024.

The Chinese Navy has surpassed the American fleet in number of ships, with the Pentagon confirming more than 370 vessels in 2026.

Russia and China are connected by gas and oil pipelines whose capacities are being expanded through ongoing construction projects.

Iran has built an oil pipeline whose terminal is located in an Indian port.
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by 93% since February 28, 2026.

Posted by:badanov

#4  comments); ?>werwer
Posted by: trailing wife   2026-04-15 02:49  

#3  comments); ?>werwer
Posted by: Glurong Choth2372   2026-04-15 02:41  

#2  comments); ?>werwer
Posted by: Skidmark   2026-04-15 01:23  

#1  comments); ?>werwer
Posted by: Skidmark   2026-04-15 00:29  

00:00