China's newest nuclear-powered submarine sank in late May or early June 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing US officials.
The incident occurred near Wuhan during the vessel's final preparations, and it is coming as Beijing is pushing to expand its navy, including nuclear submarines, to challenge US naval dominance in the region.
Though the Chinese government has not acknowledged the incident, satellite images showed large cranes recovering the submarine. Experts believe it could take months to repair it, potentially delaying China's military plans.
