China's aircraft carrier may conduct trials on high seas this year
Staff Reporter 2013-03-10 08:55
A J-15 carrier-based fighter lands on the flight deck of the Liaoning on Nov. 25, 2012. (Photo/Xinhua)
The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, may conduct an exercise on the high seas this year, reports the Hong Kong-based Ming Pao newspaper.
Liaoning commander Zhang Yongyi said that the exercise will be necessary for the aircraft carrier to prove its combat capabilities. As also a member of the country's National People's Congress, Zhang told China's state broadcaster CCTV that more landing and take-off exercises will be carried out by fighter jets on the aircraft carrier as well.
"We will establish our own carrier-based aircraft units in foreseeable future," Zhang said. "They will serve as a brand new unit for the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force."
The relocation of the Liaoning to its new home port at Qingdao in Shandong province on Feb. 27 is also a sign that China is capable of operating an aircraft carrier base by itself.
Zhang Junshe, vice director of China's Naval Affairs Research Institute, told the PLA Daily that due to a lack of experience, it will take at least two years for the Liaoning and its aircraft units to complete their training.
