China Wants Aircraft Carrier

(Beijing, China) The Chinese government is indicating that it wants to build an aircraft carrier to protect its interests.

"Aircraft carriers are a symbol of a country's overall national strength as well as the competitiveness of the country's naval force," Chinese Ministry of National Defence spokesman Senior Colonel Huang Xueping told reporters.

"China has a large sea territory. It is the sacred responsibility of our armed forces to protect our sea territory and to maintain our maritime sovereignty and rights and interests. China, taking into account all relevant factors, will earnestly research and consider (building aircraft carriers)."

For what it's worth, Hong Kong media have indicated that China could build its first carrier by 2010. The Chinese military have been urging the central government for years for a carrier.

Understandably, Taiwan and Japan have expressed concern fearing possible belligerent intentions on China's part.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.