China's first aircraft carrier to be commissioned in August

China’s first aircraft carrier is likely to be commissioned on August 1 and deployed in the disputed South China Sea, boosting its blue water aspirations. “The military authority plans to let the aircraft carrier be commissioned this year,” Deputy Commander of Chinese navy Xu Hongmeng said. [caption id=“attachment_238996” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Reuters”]  [/caption] The yet to be named carrier has taken part in four sea trials in the Pacific since August last year, Shanghai Daily quoted Xu as saying. Experts believe the carrier will be commissioned on August 1, China’s Army Day, and will be deployed in the South China Sea, the paper said, adding fighter jets will soon be involved in sea trials which are taking place smoothly so far. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman said previously that the carrier would be used mainly for scientific research and training pilots for future carriers. Analysts say its deployment in the disputed waters of SCS whose oil rich islands were claimed by China and number of ASEAN countries could stir up more tensions in the region. China apparently was in a hurry to deploy to counter United States big Asia Pacific push strategy rallying countries that have a maritime disputes with Beijing. Since 1985, China has acquired four retired aircraft carriers for study, the Australian HMAS Melbourne and the ex-Soviet carriers Minsk, Kiev and Varyag. The carrier is built upon the unfinished former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag and is believed to be the first of the three being planned to acquired by the Chinese navy. Experts believe China is in the early stages of building a “blue water” navy in order to challenge American global supremacy at sea. Reuters