Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier, is seen during a launch ceremony at Dalian shipyard in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on April 26. Photo: AFP
Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier, is seen during a launch ceremony at Dalian shipyard in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on April 26. Photo: AFP
China /  Diplomacy

China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier could join the navy ahead of schedule

Early service for the Type 001A points to China speeding up its effort to build a navy that can secure trade routes and challenge the US in the South China Sea

Minnie Chan
Minnie Chan

Updated: 2:55pm, 20 Jul, 2018

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Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier, is seen during a launch ceremony at Dalian shipyard in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on April 26. Photo: AFP
Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier, is seen during a launch ceremony at Dalian shipyard in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on April 26. Photo: AFP
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