'China constructing first aircraft carrier'

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155924.html


China is reportedly building game-changing aircraft carriers that can pave the way for ending the dominance of the United States at sea, reports say.

China is believed to be building aircraft carriers at Changxingdao Shipyard in Shanghai and is expected to launch the aircrafts in 2012 and 2014, the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported on Friday.

The Chinese Institute for Ocean Development Strategy says Beijing "conceived the idea and worked out a plan in 2009 to build an aircraft carrier."

The think tank says that the task was essential in achieving the great revival of the Chinese nation.

The country is expected to launch a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier by 2020 as well.

This shows that China "is determined to become a maritime power," the report said

According to a Financial Times report, defense experts have also spotted, from Google Earth imagery, the construction of runways at two military airports over the past year suitable for training pilots in take-off and land under aircraft carrier conditions.

Experts say carriers could revolutionize China's role in the Pacific balance of power and will make it risky for the US to intervene in any potential dispute over Taiwan or North Korea.

It could also deny US ships safe access to international waters near China's 18,000-kilometer- (11,200-mile-) long coastline.

The report comes as relations between China and the United States have become tense over a number of issues.

China has already reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon over the 6.4-billion-dollar US arms sales to Taiwan. China considers the island as part of its territory.

Moreover, in recent months, the US and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in the waters east of the Korean Peninsula.