China Denies Claims Of Second Aircraft Carrier Plans

Just days after inducting its first aircraft carrier, China has dismissed reports of building a second carrier that will be launched later this year. "Such reports are inaccurate," said Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun. “China will plan the development of aircraft carriers in an all-round way. But this is only the first step of our aircraft carrier development. We still have a long way to go”. Yang added that China strives for peaceful development, independent foreign policy and pursues a defensive national policy. He added that the development of the aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is to protect national security. China has taken into consideration the need of national security and economic conditions when developing weaponry equipment. The development of the first aircraft carrier is also included in the defense budget, Yang said. "We have strict regulations about the naming and hull numbers of naval vessels, as they are authorized by the Central Military Commission," Yang said.