1.   And critics of Pentagon spending raise questions about the need for a new class of powerful destroyers when the United States faces no superpower rival on the high seas.

2.   Some in America would have preferred Japan to send its powerful destroyers, but it marked a big shift for Japan.

3.   Russia turned over to China a powerful destroyer ordered by the Chinese navy in a shipyard ceremony Saturday that featured fireworks and parades by sailors from both countries.

4.   The criticism came after a computerised mock war game between Taiwan and rival China during which the four powerful Kidd class destroyers were wiped out.