Rocking the boat - China prepares to expand its carrier navy

On or about 25 April 2009, the incomplete former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag made its first voyage in Chinese waters. From its berth in Dalian harbour, where China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has kept it since 2002, the Varyag moved about 3 km to a dry dock in a new, nearly complete large ship construction facility.

[first posted to http://jir.janes.com - 11 June 2009]