Chinese ships arriving at US ports could potentially bring more than just goods, warns Senator Todd Young. The vessels may be carrying concealed missile launchers, posing a significant threat to national security.
Risks to US Ports
The possibility of Chinese ships being used as covert warships is not merely hypothetical. Naval analysts have confirmed that China is retrofitting cargo ships with deadly weapons, including long-range strike and surface-to-air missiles, drone launching systems, and radar and tracking systems.
The Port of Houston, one of the busiest ports in the US, is particularly vulnerable to such threats. If an armed Chinese cargo carrier were to slip into the port undetected, it could launch devastating attacks on the port, destroying vital infrastructure and killing hundreds.
Rebuilding America’s Maritime Industrial Base
To mitigate these risks, Senator Young is working to rebuild America’s rusted Maritime Industrial Base and end the country’s reliance on Chinese-flagged vessels. The US once had the world’s largest commercial fleet, but today it has fewer than 100 oceangoing commercial vessels, while China has nearly 6,000.
The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure and Security Act (SHIPS Act) aims to encourage the construction of new ships and shipyards through tax incentives, deregulation, and permitting reform. The bill also seeks to modernize training programs at maritime academies and recruit a new generation of mariners.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
