China's Zhou-Class Submarine Sinks at Shipyard

China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the Zhou-class, sank while moored at the Wuchang shipyard near Wuhan between May and June 2024, as confirmed by U.S. officials and first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The submarine's sinking, believed to have occurred during its final equipping phase, raises significant concerns about the quality of China's military equipment and operational protocols. Satellite images revealed unusual activity at the shipyard, suggesting salvage operations were underway. The incident represents a considerable setback for China's naval modernization efforts, potentially delaying further production of similar vessels. U.S. officials also noted that China has made no efforts to test nearby waters for radiation, raising environmental and safety concerns. The Chinese government has attempted to cover up the incident, highlighting issues of internal accountability and oversight within the PLA Navy.