Nation sets sights on bigger carrier

China's second aircraft carrier will be bigger than the current one, and more aircraft carriers may be built to safeguard the nation's oceanic interests, a senior officer with China's navy forces said.

"The next aircraft carrier we need will be larger and carry more fighters," Song Xue, vice-chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army navy, said on Tuesday in Beijing at a ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of the founding of the PLA navy, according to Xinhua News Agency.

He denied foreign media reports that China is building new aircraft carriers in Shanghai and promised the navy will invite foreign military attaches to visit the Liaoning, China's only aircraft carrier.