FX.co ★ China launches its first home-built aircraft carrier

The carrier was released into open water from a shipyard in the port of Dalian. The ceremony to launch the carrier was chaired by Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission. A bottle of champagne was broken across the ship's bow and other craft in the port sounded their horns in celebration.

Development of the new carrier began in 2013 and construction commenced in late 2015. It is expected to be formally commissioned some time before 2020.

It is the country's second aircraft carrier. In 1988, China bought the carrier from Ukraine and named it Liaoning.

Photo: aircraft carrier Liaoning.

The carrier, presented on Wednesday, had earlier been temporarily named the Type 001A.

China is also planning to build the third carrier, the Type 002. Perhaps, it will be equipped with a nuclear propulsion.