Reuters, HONG KONG and BEIJINGConstruction of China’s first full-sized aircraft carrier is well under way, according to satellite images obtained and analyzed by a US think tank. China has not formally confirmed that it is building a third carrier, despite hints in state media, and the timing and extent of its carrier program are state secrets. The Pentagon last week said that China had begun construction, but no images have emerged until now. Both Asian and Western militaries, and regional security analysts, are seeking information on the carrier, which is expected to be China’s first large, modern platform capable of leading a full range of strike group operations. The effort to build a large, locally designed carrier is seen as a core part of China’s extensive military modernization drive.

Source: Taipei Times May 07, 2019 15:56 UTC