China aircraft carrier completed tests in disputed South China Sea

China's first aircraft carrier on 1 January 2014 successfully finished a series of tests during a training mission in the disputed South China Sea and has returned to port. It has completed a 37-day deployment, which was carried out amid mounting regional tensions

Japan in December 2013 drilled off the coast of the Hainan Island. As per the regional military officers and analysts, the December’s drill marked not only the first time China has sent a carrier into the South China Sea but also it was the first time that its maneuvered with the kind of strike group of escort ships US carriers deploy

Liaoning, the aircraft carrier carried more than 100 tests, which includes its combat systems. At present it is docked at the Qingdao’s port northern city. Liaoning is a Soviet-era ship, which was bought from Ukraine in 1998. It has been re-fitted in the Chinese shipyard and has been a symbol of naval build-up of china. It went into service in September 2012.

The military budget of China has seen a first double digit increase after two decades. The admirals’ plan of China is to develop a full blue-water navy, which will be capable of demanding the growing economic interests as well as the disputed territory in South and East China seas.

Provoking the international reactions, China in November 2013 declared its air defence rights over most of the part of the East China Sea. It also claims maximum part of the South China Sea.

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