China Confirms Commissioning of First Aircraft Carrier

25.09.2012 First Chinese aircraft carrier named Liaoning on Sept 25 was formally commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy, reports Chinese defense ministry.

Liaoning was retrofitted in Dalian shipyard on the basis of Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser Varyag purchased fr om Ukraine in 1998, reports Interfax.

According to Vzglyad, Chinese media reported on Monday that the first aircraft carrier had joined Chinese Navy.

The carrier passed sea trials in the last year; in particular, the ship held 10 trial rounds and took part in aircraft flight tests.

The ship was named Liaoning in honor of the northeast Chinese province wh ere the carrier was modernized.

According to Chinese military, the ship will be primarily used for training purposes. Beijing is going to complete construction of some other aircraft carriers in the nearest years. They all will be built in China without buying hulls abroad.

Aircraft carriers in Chinese Navy will noticeably affect regional balance of force. In particular, Tokyo cautiously watches Chinese Navy expanding its presence in the Pacific, especially considering recent escalation of the disputes around Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands.