China has resumed production of the Yuting-class tank landing ship, having built four in the last year. Analysts had thought the class was complete when the sixth was commissioned in early 1997. The Yuting displaces 4,800 tons and can carry 250 troops and 10 tanks. There is a helicopter platform and four landing craft. Amphibious lift is one of the Chinese Navy's weak spots, and the four new ships (with more under construction) appear part of a solution to this shortage.--Stephen V Cole