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.
航母建设发展
航母是以舰载机为主要武器，并作为海上活动基地的大型水面战斗舰艇，是现代海军的重要组成部分。中国海岸线漫长，管辖海域广阔，海洋权益丰富多样，需要建设一支能够保卫国家海上方向安全、维护领海主权和海洋权益的武装力量。
中国已完成对一艘废旧航母平台的改造，并交付海军部队，命名为“辽宁舰”，于2012年9月25日入列服役。中国有关部门在综合考虑各方面因素后，展开第二艘航母的自主研制、设计建造和试验试航工作，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，命名为“山东舰”。
中国始终坚持走和平发展道路，坚定奉行防御性的国防政策、积极防御的军事战略。中国建设发展航母，是为了维护国家安全，也有利于维护世界和平稳定。中国的国防政策和军事战略决不会因为发展先进武器而改变。
