CHINA'S first aircraft carrier could be ready to sail by next month, amid growing concerns over Beijing's aggressive military action in the East and South China Seas.
Beijing ended speculation over when the vessel would appear, releasing pictures this week of the Russian-built craft, which was purchased from Ukraine and is being refitted in China.
"Building an aircraft carrier is extremely complex and at present we are using a scrapped aircraft carrier platform to carry out refurbishment for the purposes of technological research, experiments and training," said Senior Colonel Geng Yansheng.
The launch will allow China to join India and Thailand as the only Asian countries with an aircraft carrier. China's multi-billion-dollar military build-up, along with its territorial claim over the entire South China Sea, has the region spooked.
Last week, Taiwanese media reported that two Chinese fighter jets attempted to scare off an American U2 reconnaissance plane that was collecting intelligence on China while flying along the Taiwan Strait late last month.
This follows recent complaints by The Philippines of Chinese planes buzzing its territory and a continuing strategy of China picking up Vietnamese fishing vessels.
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