国防部否认第二艘航母在建传闻

Since China's first aircraft carrier was delivered and commissioned to the Navy of the People's Liberation Army on Tuesday, media at home and abroad have been paying close attention to China's aircraft carrier development.

Some foreign media reports claim that China is building a second aircraft carrier in Shanghai and that it will be launched later this year.

Yang Yujun, a spokesman for China's Defense Ministry, says such reports were inaccurate.

"We will plan the development of aircraft carriers in an all-round way, taking our national economic and social development and the needs of national defense and military construction into account."

China's first aircraft carrier entered service earlier this week.

The carrier, rebuilt from the Soviet ship Varyag, was renamed "Liaoning" and underwent years of refitting and sea trials.

The spokesman says the carrier will be used to conduct scientific experiments and military training.

Meanwhile, Yang Yujun confirmed that Chinese naval ships carried out patrolling and military training in waters off the Diaoyu Islands recently.

The confirmation was made in response to a media request following reports by Japanese media last week of two Chinese naval frigates navigating waters off the Diaoyu Islands.

"The Diaoyu Islands and the affiliated islands are inherent territories of China since ancient times. Chinese naval vessels' patrolling and training in Chinese waters is absolutely legal. The Chinese army will work to resolutely guard the nation's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. Meanwhile, the Chinese Army will cooperate with surveillance and fishery departments to offer security for China's relevant maritime activities."

The spokesman also reiterated that the country adheres to the path of peaceful development, and pursues a defensive national defense policy.

For CRI, I'm Nate Schlabach.