China’s new aircraft carrier ranks among world’s most advanced warships

China's first domestically designed aircraft carrier left a Dalian Shipbuilding Industry's shipyard to begin its maiden trial at sea last Sunday.

China’s first domestically designed aircraft carrier, which displaces 50,000 metric tons, leaves the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry’s shipyard in Liaoning province on Sunday.LI GANG / FOR CHINA DAILY

The new aircraft carrier ranks among the world’s most advanced warships, said Hu Wenming, chief of the new carrier program, during an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).

Hu, also the chairman of China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, parent of the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, told CCTV that the construction of the vessel will further improve the country’s research and development regarding aircraft carriers.

According to Hu, most of the world’s medium-sized aircraft carriers, which have a displacement of 40,000 to 60,000 tons, are conventionally powered vessels, except for France’s nuclear-powered surface vessel Charles de Gaulle. China’s new carrier is in a leading position in regards to technology, he added.

Hu stated that a total of 532 suppliers were involved in the research and development of the new aircraft carrier, 412 of them without any military background, including SOEs, private enterprises, scientific institutions and universities.

Such integration of the military and non-defense enterprises not only facilitates the application of the country’s manufacturing and research abilities, but also in turn enhances the development of suppliers. The new technologies achieved will also be used in civil sectors, the chairman noted.

“We can say it proudly that we have acquired the most advanced technologies regarding ship-building,” Hu said.