by Alice Monroe - China demonstrates naval air power after successfully landing a fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier
BEIJING, China -- China has become the latest country to possess naval air power after it demonstrated a successful landing of a fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier.
Chinese state media confirmed on Sunday that a J-15 fighter jet had performed a successful landing on the Liaoning, a former Soviet aircraft carrier now operating under Chinese flag after extensive refurbishments.
Xinhua News Agency said the landing exercise marked the debut of the J-15 fighter jet, a carrier-based fighter-bomber also known as "Flying Shark" developed by China from Russia's Sukhoi Su-33.
Zhang Junshe of China's Naval Affairs Research Institute said on state TV: "The successful landing... has always been seen as a symbol of the operating combat capability for an aircraft carrier."
"This is a landmark event for China's aircraft carrier... and [moves it] one step closer to combat readiness," he iterated.
China's clear demonstration of its ambition to be a leading Asian naval power comes at a time of intensified territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea, and several south-east Asian countries in the South China Sea.
Diplomatic relations with its neighbours have been strained further after China recently introduced new passports containing a controversial map laying claim on the entire South China Sea, including Taiwan.
Earlier this month, outgoing Chinese President Hu Jintao urged the nation to push forward fast-paced military modernisation and set the goal of becoming a "maritime power" - allowing to country to project military power far beyond its borders. Reported by One News Page Staff 48 minutes ago.