China's submarine force is stressed by their more realistic training for combat

• Chinese submarine crews are training to operate farther into the Western Pacific.
• The more intense training appears to be stressing them.
• The training also seems bent on curbing cheating in China's military.

China is forcing its submarine crews to endure more intensive and realistic training exercises. The goal is to enable subs to operate farther from the Chinese coast and deeper into the Western Pacific, which requires commanders and crews capable of the flexible tactics and initiative that are the norm in Western navies.