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Our top story of the program. China's first domestically built aircraft carrier is the latest milestone in the country's efforts to modernize its military. The still-unnamed carrier was launched this time last year, but is still undergoing testing and weapons fitting. But today saw a crucial step towards launching the warship, as the vessel braved the sea in its first open water trials. CGTN's Xing Ruinan starts us off.
It's been a long time coming. China's first home-built aircraft carrier set sail today, kicking-off tests and operational trials. The still-unnamed ship left its dock from the northern port city of Dalian earlier this morning. In a statement by the Defence Ministry, tests are set to last from Sunday to Friday, and will "test the reliability and stability of the ship's propulsion and other systems".
The carrier has been docked for a little over a year, but this is the first time the carrier's engines, propulsion and navigation systems have been tested at sea. The ship will give China a second aircraft carrier to beef up its navy. Netizens showed off their national pride on social media.
Ya Riren says: "Happy Mother's Day. Today is the first sail of the domestically manufactured aircraft carrier. So I have to say -- planes now have the aircraft carrier to take-off from and soar into the sky."
Another user says: "Since the vessel's official launch, I have been paying close attention. I was so excited every time I heard an update about the ship. The first sea performance test has finally come. Our goal is to sail to the stars and sea. Wish you all the luck!"
There are a few differences between the Liaoning and the new ship.
The Liaoning has a 67,500 tonnes displacement, while the new carrier has 55,000 tonnes. The new ship is domestically manufactured, while the Liaoning is a modified vessel based on a Soviet Union model. Neither the Liaoning nor the new ship is nuclear-powered, but both can carry around forty planes and have similar "ski jump" ramps. It is an old launch system that forces aircraft to carry fewer weapons in order to hold more fuel to take-off.
The Liaoning provincial maritime safety bureau issued an order for shipping vessels to avoid a section of the ocean south-east of the city between Sunday and Friday. This new aircraft carrier will likely be formally commissioned sometime before 2020 following the completion of tests. Xing Ruinan, CGTN.