Along with the overhaul of its military forces, China has announced that the second aircraft carrier it is currently constructing will be used mainly for military operations such as combat patrols and civil-military activities, specifically in extending humanitarian aid.

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Senior Captain Zhang Junshe of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Naval Military Studies Research Institute said the second aircraft carrier will not be used at all for training and technological experiments unlike its first aircraft carrier Liaoning.

Zhang told the PLA Daily on Friday that the second aircraft will have different missions once construction is finished and its operations will focus mainly on military operations.

He said the country's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is being used to train military personnel and test the reliability of carriers, but this will not be the case for the second aircraft carrier.

Zhang said China urgently needs a second carrier to effectively protect and safeguard its national interests and improve its military capabilities especially when faced with a security crisis.

"The PLA needs at least three aircraft carriers. When it does, one can be on duty, one can train personnel, and the third can receive maintenance," he said.

Yang Yujun, Defense Ministry spokesman, said the second carrier is being constructed in Liaoning province and will be equipped with state-of-the-art features which the Liaoning carrier does not have.

In a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, Yang said the new carrier has been designed in China and can carry China-made J15 fighter jets and other ship-borne aircraft.

He said the second carrier will have a displacement of 50,000 metric tons and a power system, with three major systems---weapons, electronic systems and power and propulsion---all to be developed by China.

Yang said Beijing is already considering building a nuclear-powered carrier but he said this will have to wait until after the country has gained enough experience in maintaining large vessels.

TagsLiaoning, Senior Captain Zhang Junshe, China's second aircraft carrier, military missions