China is building more warships to extend its global reach, but its navy is lagging in one...

China is speeding up its warship building programme as its navy extends its reach to cover Beijing's increasingly far-flung interests.

The latest warships, launched last week, were a Type 055 and a Type 052D, both guided missile destroyers built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company in Liaoning province.

The ships — China's sixth Type 055 and, according to mainland media its 23rd Type 052D, were among 24 launched by the PLA Navy in 2019.

At about 12,000 tonnes, the Type 055 class is China's first guided-missile destroyer equipped to hold and fire 112 missiles.

At 8,000 tonnes, the Type 052D has 64 vertical launchers. Typically, such ships require one or two years of outfitting and sea trials before they enter service.