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China Is Building a Second Aircraft Carrier

1 minute read
By TIME Staff

China is expanding its navy with addition of a second aircraft carrier, the country’s Defense Ministry has announced.

Unlike its first aircraft carrier — a refurbished, secondhand Russian ship built more than 25 years ago — the new vessel will be domestically constructed, the BBC reports.

The announcement comes at a time of high tension in the South China Sea, where Beijing is pressing extensive territorial claims and embroiled in disputes with several countries over the sovereignty of the area’s numerous reefs and islets. The South China Sea is thought to have extensive oil and gas deposits.

The BBC quoted Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun as saying that the new carrier would have “many areas of improvements and enhancements” compared with the first.

[BBC]

See the Patriotic Red Army School Students in China

A child wearing a uniform waits to raise the national flag on Jan. 21, 2015 at the Beichuan Red army elementary school in Beichuan, southwest China's Sichuan province.
A child wearing a uniform waits to raise the national flag on Jan. 21, 2015 at the Beichuan Red army elementary school in Beichuan, southwest China's Sichuan province. Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children sing after raising the national flag.
Children sing after raising the national flag.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children sing after raising the national flag.
Children sing after raising the national flag.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children march after raising the national flag.
Children march after raising the national flag.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children wait to enter their classroom.
Children wait to enter their classroom.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children during class.
Children during class.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children take their lunch.
Children take their lunch.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
Children during lunch.
Children during lunch.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
A boy waits at the Beichuan Red army elementary school.
A boy waits at the Beichuan Red army elementary school.Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images

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