FULL STEAM AHEAD
China has launched its first aircraft carrier built entirely on its own, in a demonstration of the growing technical sophistication of its defense industries and determination to safeguard its maritime territorial claims and crucial trade routes. Reports of the launch in the northern port city of Dalian said a bottle of champagne was broken across the ship’s bow and other craft sounded their horns in celebration. The 50,000-ton carrier, which has yet to be named, was towed from its dockyard after the ceremony in Dalian, where its predecessor, the Soviet-built Liaoning, underwent extensive refurbishing before being commissioned in 2012, the Defense Ministry said. Development of the new carrier began in 2013 and construction in late 2015. It’s expected to be formally commissioned sometime before 2020, after sea trials and the arrival of its full air complement.