Tuesday, June 21, 2011

FIRST CHINA AIRCRAFT CARRIER SEA TRIAL ‘NEXT WEEK’


by Agence France-Presse

China’s first aircraft carrier—a remodelled Soviet-era vessel—will go on sea trials next week, a report said Tuesday, amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

China’s top military official reportedly confirmed earlier this month that Beijing is building a huge aircraft carrier, the first acknowledgement of the ship’s existence from China’s secretive defense program. [ FULL STORY ]