China’s first aircraft carrier starts second trial

China’s first aircraft carrier starts second trial

AFP

BEIJING — China’s first aircraft carrier began its second sea trial on Tuesday after undergoing refurbishment and testing, the government said, amid heightened regional tensions over maritime territorial disputes.

The 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a refitted former Soviet carrier called the Varyag, underwent five days of trials in August that sparked international concern about China’s widening naval reach.

“China’s aircraft carrier platform, after successfully completing its first sea trial in August, returned to the shipyard as planned for further refitting and testing,” the defence ministry said.

“The work has been carried out and it set sail again on November 29 to carry out relevant scientific and research experiments.”

The announcement comes against a background of growing tensions over maritime disputes in the Asia-Pacific region.

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