The PLA Chief of General Staff Chen Bingde has confirmed that China is working to build its first aircraft carrier. This is the ‘Varyag’. It is still unknown when it will be finalized, but is suspected to be the end of the year. The government confirms the construction of the ship that will ensure China to defend its interests.
The 300-meter-long ‘Varyag’ is being built at the port of Dalian in the north coast of China. Although construction began in the eighties for the Soviet Navy, it was never completed. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rusty hull was in Ukraine before being acquired by a company in China connected with the Army, which sought transport to Macau and turn it into a floating casino.
Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, member of staff, has assured the Hong Kong newspaper “Commercial Daily” that this carrier is never deep into the territorial waters of another country. He also stressed that China has always followed the principle of “defensive” military strategy. Qi showed regrets to the “strong pressure” faced by Chinese forces in South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and Taiwan Strait. “All great nations of the world have aircraft carriers, which are the symbols of a great nation, “said Qi. United States, which has 11 of these vessels, is concerned about the military aspirations of the Asian giant.