Chinese-made aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Straits

China's second aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Sunday as part of its routine sea trial, according to the People's Liberation Army Navy.
Senior captain Cheng Dewei, spokesman for the PLA Navy, was quoted on Monday as saying the carrier, which has yet to be commissioned and named, headed for the South China Sea to carry out sea trial that included equipment tests and personnel training.
He said the operation was a normal arrangement during the ship's construction and testing processes, noting it was not aimed at any specific target nor related to current situations.
This was the carrier's ninth sea trial since May 2018 when it carried out the maiden sea trial.
Construction of the vessel, the largest and most sophisticated warship in China, began in November 2013 at a shipyard in Liaoning province's Dalian. It was launched – moved into water – in April 2017.
Currently, the Navy operates a sole aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning, which was originally a Soviet-era vessel and was extensively refitted at the Dalian shipyard. The Liaoning conducted 10 sea trials starting August 2011 before going into service in September 2012.
The new carrier has a displacement of around 50,000 metric tons and a conventional propulsion system. Like the Liaoning, it uses a ramp to launch J-15 fighter jets, the spearhead of Chinese carrier battle group. The ship will also carry several types of helicopters.
- China set to clean up online health content
- Northern China braces for more heavy rainfall
- Senior CPC official visits prominent experts
- Probe reveals woman flashed husband's credentials to bully motorist
- Storms claim five lives in Guangdong
- Dragon boat race sets stage for two months of cultural celebrations in Hainan