China to build more aircraft carriers apart from 'Liaoning'

BEIJING: China today said it will build more aircraft carriers apart from the 'Liaoning' to boost its defence and military capabilities.

"There will surely be more addition to Chinese military's first aircraft carrier Liaoning, launched last year," said China's Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun.

China will comprehensively consider the development of aircraft carriers in accordance with the needs of national defence and military building, he added.

Currently, China operates one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which is based on an unfinished Russian-made carrier. It was delivered to the Chinese Navy on September 25 last year. The carrier's original design allows it to carry about 30 fixed-wing aircraft.

China has also developed carrier-borne aircraft called J-15, which will be the main strike aircraft for its carrier fleet. The Liaoning has conducted successful take-off and landing tests of its carrier-borne J-15 fighters.