Chinese carrier takes to the seas as military modernises
CHINA’S first home-built aircraft carrier began sea trials yesterday, a major step for Beijing as it builds up its military might.
The carrier will be the second to enter the Chinese navy, and comes as Bei- jing seeks to modernise its armed forces.
The ship, which is known only as “Type 001A”, set out for the trials from the north-eastern port of Dalian, where it was built.
The trial was to “test the reliability and stability of the carrier’s power system and other equipment,” Xinhua news agency said
“Construction on the carrier has been carried out as planned since it was launched in April last year, and equipment debugging, outfitting and mooring tests have been completed to make it ready for the trial mission at sea,” it added, citing sources.
Images posted by Chinese media online showed the huge carrier not far from its dock, apparently setting off for trials with smaller vessels. It is not expected to enter service until 2020.
China’s military has been updated since Xi Jinping, the president, assumed power five years ago.