Govt mulls aircraft carriers

China will "seriously consider" building aircraft carriers to protect its vast maritime territory, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.

Huang Xueping made the remarks at a news conference called to announce details of a Chinese flotilla that will leave for Somali waters on Friday to protect Chinese ships from pirates.

Asked whether the Chinese navy's first deployment abroad is a good opportunity to build a carrier, Huang said the government would seriously consider the issue.