Current Events in Asia-Pacific

North Korea says it's ready to detonate H-bomb, but skepticism abounds (Stars and Stripes)

US ‘Steadily Retreating’ In South China Sea Dispute (Breaking Defense) Ouch.

Why China’s Air Force Needs Russia's Su-35 (The Diplomat)

The four Jiangwei I Type 053H2G Chinese frigates (1992-2015) converted in Chinese Coast Guard Cutters, keepping only the four 37mm quadruple mounts: http://china-defense.blogspot.com.es/

Just come across this article from yesterday. Did something go seriously wrong with the carrier groups procedures? 2 x Tu-142 Bears got within 1 nautical mile of the US Ronald Reagan. One mile!?!?! That sounds pretty close to me? I thought they would have been escorted or directed away well before they got within one mile? http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/29/politics/us-aircraft-carrier-russian-plane-encounter/

China has deployed PLANAF J-11 fighters to Woody Island (Phu Lam Island to Vietnam), largest island of the Paracels in the East Vietnam Sea. No reaction yet from the Vietnamese government (looking for a Chinese link probably from www.81.cn , photo showing J-11 with air-to-air loadout (2xPL-8+2xPL-15) landing in Phu Lam).

Chinese Submarine Stalked U.S. Aircraft Carrier (Free Beacon)

China warns U.S. it will not allow violations of its waters (Reuters) The USN needs to go ahead and call China's bluff on this. To fail to do so (or, rather, to continue to fail to do so) will be a tacit (and dangerous) acknowledgement of China's ridiculous claims as legitimate.

Essex amphibious group arrives in Pacific as USN reiterates rights to South China Sea access (Jane's)

Image Emerges Of What Could Be A Chinese Knock-Off Of Russia's Su-34 Fullback (Foxtrot Alpha)

Some troves in the unspected miscellaneous "Gallery" I and II sections, including construction numbers of the ten J-15 carrier fighters (updated today casually!): http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com.es/p/gallery-i.html

China's Main Mission: South China Sea, Not Syria (The National Interest)

Very interesting and updated site: http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com.es/p/surveillance-aircraft-i.html

Very interesting pictures and comparison: http://errymath.blogspot.com/2015/04/y-8-y-9-aircraft-have-19-different.html#.VgrfYjahdjo

Russian Pacific Fleet Prepares For Arrival of New Missile Submarines (Federation of American Scientists blog)

Chinese Fighters Intercept US Spy Plane, Pentagon Confirms (DefenseTech)

General characteristics & performance of Shenyang FC-31 (Alert 5)

The U.S.-China Military Scorecard: Forces, Geography, and the Evolving Balance of Power, 1996–2017 (RAND, pdf)

Defiant Chinese Admiral’s Message: South China Sea ‘Belongs to China’ (Defense One)

Inside the Design of China’s Yuan-class Submarine (USNI News)