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Typhoon Bebinca Paralyzes Shanghai, Strongest Storm to Hit in 70 Years

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Typhoon Bebinca slammed into Shanghai on Monday, bringing the bustling metropolis of 25 million to a halt. Authorities reported that it was the strongest typhoon to directly strike the city in over seven decades, with wind speeds reaching 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. The storm made landfall in an industrial suburb southeast of Shanghai around 7:30 a.m. local time, causing widespread travel disruptions during China’s Mid-Autumn Festival, a major three-day holiday.

Chinese state media confirmed that Bebinca is the most powerful storm to hit Shanghai since 1949. The China Meteorological Administration issued a red typhoon alert, its highest warning level, predicting strong winds and heavy rainfall across eastern China. The storm’s impact has been far-reaching, with all flights at Shanghai’s two major international airports canceled since Sunday night. Train and ferry services were largely suspended, and several highways and bridges in the area were shut down for safety.

The storm has also affected the city’s tourism sector, with popular destinations, including Shanghai Disney Resort, closing their doors on Monday. The timing of the typhoon, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, has upended holiday plans for many travelers, stranding them during what is normally a festive period.

 

India’s New Nuclear-Capable Submarine Joins the Fleet: Can It Catch Up with China?

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India has added its second nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighaat, to its naval fleet. The commissioning took place in late August, with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh declaring that it strengthens the country’s nuclear deterrence amid rising concerns about both China and Pakistan. Despite this advancement, India’s capabilities still lag behind China, whose People’s Liberation Army Navy boasts a fleet that includes six Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which outmatch India’s two ballistic missile submarines in terms of firepower.

The INS Arighaat, named “Destroyer of the Enemy” in Sanskrit, joins the INS Arihant, commissioned eight years ago. Both submarines, 366 feet long with a 6,000-ton displacement, are equipped with K-15 Sagarika ballistic missiles with a range of about 750 kilometers (466 miles). However, this range limits their ability to strike deep within Chinese territory from the Indian Ocean, as analyst Carl Schuster points out.

China’s Jin-class submarines can carry missiles with a range of at least 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles), along with the capability to carry multiple nuclear warheads, further tilting the strategic balance in Beijing’s favor. The Arighaat aims to improve India’s second-strike capability, crucial in maintaining nuclear deterrence. While India is developing longer-range missiles for future submarines, it may take years for these capabilities to materialize. For instance, Arighaat took nearly seven years from launch to commissioning, suggesting that the next Indian ballistic missile sub may not be ready until 2030.

India’s efforts to develop its sea-based nuclear deterrent are part of a broader ambition to establish a robust second-strike capability, especially as the country faces growing threats from both Pakistan and China. Pakistan is modernizing its fleet with Chinese-designed submarines, while China’s naval buildup includes regular nuclear deterrence patrols by its Jin-class submarines. India’s Arihant-class submarines, though limited in number, will help counter these regional threats, with the Indian government planning further investments, reportedly $31.6 billion over the next decade.

While China’s navy is significantly larger and more advanced, India’s naval buildup sends a strong message about its strategic ambitions. The country’s pursuit of more sophisticated submarines and long-range missiles is aimed at achieving greater parity with China and ensuring a secure nuclear second-strike force capable of deterring aggression.

 

Philippines to Continue Vessel Deployment in Contested South China Sea Shoal

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The Philippines will maintain a persistent presence in the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a statement by its coast guard on Monday. This comes after the Philippine vessel Teresa Magbanua returned to port following a five-month deployment in the area.

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela emphasized that the country will continue to deploy vessels in these waters, reinforcing the nation’s stance amid concerns over China’s activities. The Teresa Magbanua was initially sent to the shoal in April to monitor what the Philippines suspects are small-scale land reclamation operations by China. The ship’s return on Sunday was due to the need for repairs and to address crew medical needs, and not in response to any demands from China, according to Tarriela.

Sabina Shoal, referred to by China as Xianbin Reef and by the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, is located west of the Philippine province of Palawan, within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Despite China’s claims, the Philippines is committed to ensuring a coast guard presence at all times, regardless of the size or number of vessels, Tarriela assured during a press conference.

China’s coast guard responded on Sunday, stating it will continue its law enforcement activities within the waters it claims as its jurisdiction, in line with Beijing’s laws, to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.

China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, leading to territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. However, in 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled against China’s extensive territorial claims, a decision that Beijing has repeatedly rejected.