Dalian yard launch for homegrown aircraft carrier
Print Edition
CHINA launched its second aircraft carrier in Dalian, in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, yesterday.
The carrier, the first to be developed and built by China, was transferred from dry dock at a China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation shipyard in a ceremony that began around 9am.
China’s second aircraft carrier follows the Liaoning, a refitted Soviet Union carrier put into service in 2012.
China began building its second carrier in November 2013, with dock construction starting in March 2015.
The main body of the carrier has been completed, with major systems equipment, including propulsion and electricity, installed.
Putting the carrier into water marks progress in China’s efforts to design and build a domestic aircraft carrier.
Following the launch, the new carrier will undergo equipment debugging, outfitting and mooring trials.
The launch ceremony included a performance of the national anthem, ribbon cutting, breaking a champagne bottle on the bow, and the sounding of steam whistles from nearby ships.
The ceremony was attended by Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as leaders of the PLA Navy and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation.
Ma Xiaoguang, a Chinese mainland spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that he was proud of the great achievement made by the country in modernizing the national defense and military.
“The move will help to strengthen our capability to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as major and core interests,” Ma said at a press conference in Beijing.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang reiterated China’s contention that it maintains a purely defense military posture and “sticks to the path of peaceful development.”
Geng told reporters at a daily news conference: “The purpose to develop national defense forces including the navy is to safeguard our national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as the peace of the world.”
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