Sinking of China’s Nuclear Submarine Shows Challenge in Its Catch-Up Efforts

Taken during a media tour organized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, this photo shows two submarines at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, on April 23, 2024. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images

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China’s naval expansion has hit a major setback. Between May and June, a nuclear-powered attack submarine sank during construction, and Beijing has been trying to keep it under wraps.