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China Says Aircraft Carrier To Be Used For Training

July 27, 2011

China says it plans to use a refurbished aircraft carrier it bought second-hand from another country for training purposes.

The "Varyag," a former Soviet carrier that China bought from Ukraine in 1998, has been under reconstruction for years.

But this is the first time the government in Beijing has officially acknowledged that work is proceeding at the northern port of Dalian.

The carrier -- China's first -- will likely add to regional concerns about China's military build-up, although analysts say it will take the Chinese navy years before they have a credible carrier presence in Asia's seas.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/china_aircraft_carrier_used_for_training/24278309.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.