PLA aircraft carrier gets hull number, suggesting it's ready for action
Workers seen painting '16' on the hull, indicating former Soviet vessel is almost ready for action
In a further sign that China's first aircraft carrier could become operational this year, the still unnamed vessel's hull number - 16 - has been revealed, suggesting that testing is basically complete after 10 sea trials, mainland media reported.
The Legal Evening News reported yesterday that military enthusiasts near the Dalian shipyard in Liaoning said they had seen workmen painting the hull number on Sunday. The paper also published a picture showing workmen doing paint jobs from a barge next to the carrier's bow.
Senior Colonel Li Jie , a researcher with the navy's military academy in Beijing, said last month that the former Soviet vessel may formally join the Chinese navy on October 1, the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.
Li said the carrier could play a key role in defending China's sovereignty claims in maritime territorial disputes, such as parts of the South China Sea that are also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.
Citing an unnamed source, the Legal Evening News said that according to People's Liberation Army Navy practice, painting a hull number often suggested a vessel had completed its testing.
Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said last week the testing of the carrier had been on schedule.
But Geng refused to confirm the exact timing of delivery, nor the name of the carrier.