Development of Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft carriers are large surface warships that derive their main capabilities from warplanes on board. They are an important component of a modern navy.

China has a long coastline, an extensive stretch of territorial waters and substantial maritime interests. It is therefore necessary to build a naval force that is able to safeguard China’s maritime security, sovereignty over its territorial waters, and maritime interests.

An old carrier hull was refurbished and refitted, and the new carrier, named the Liaoning, was commissioned into the PLA Navy (PLAN) on September 25, 2012. Development of a home-designed aircraft carrier proceeded afterward, taking into account relevant factors and lessons learned. The second carrier, the Shandong, was launched on April 26, 2017, and was commissioned on December 17, 2019.

China pursues peaceful development. Its defense policy is defensive in nature, underpinned by a military strategy of active defense. Development of aircraft carriers is intended to safeguard national security and contribute to the maintenance of world peace and stability. China’s defense policy will not change with the development of advanced weaponry systems.

航母建設發展

航母是以艦載機為主要武器，并作為海上活動基地的大型水面戰斗艦艇，是現代海軍的重要組成部分。中國海岸線漫長，管轄海域廣闊，海洋權益豐富多樣，需要建設一支能夠保衛國家海上方向安全、維護領海主權和海洋權益的武裝力量。

中國已完成對一艘廢舊航母平臺的改造，并交付海軍部隊，命名為“遼寧艦”，于2012年9月25日入列服役。中國有關部門在綜合考慮各方面因素后，展開第二艘航母的自主研制、設計建造和試驗試航工作，第二艘航母于2017年4月26日下水，于2019年12月17日交接入列，命名為“山東艦”。

中國始終堅持走和平發展道路，堅定奉行防御性的國防政策、積極防御的軍事戰略。中國建設發展航母，是為了維護國家安全，也有利于維護世界和平穩定。中國的國防政策和軍事戰略決不會因為發展先進武器而改變。