Robert Karniol, the magazine's Asia-Pacific editor, said Thursday the deal was signed in November and China already has taken delivery of one submarine.
Russia has been selling surplus military equipment to many countries. According to Russian media reports its arms sales to China for 1992 and 1993 were worth $2 billion to $3 billion.
The Kilo-class diesel vessels are "a major generational jump from China's current fleet, and there are fears that it could use the vessels to push its own interests in the region," he said.
He said the submarines, which have sophisticated search and attack sonars, could be used to blockade Taiwan.
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