Picture of China's first refitted warship 'emerges'

 

A commercial US satellite company says it has managed to take a picture of China's first aircraft carrier during its sea trials in the Yellow Sea.

If confirmed, it would be the first known photo of the former Soviet vessel recently refitted by Beijing.

The warship began its sea trials in August, raising fresh concerns over Beijing's military build-up.

China is currently involved in several maritime territorial disputes, particularly in the South China Sea.
Stephen Wood, director of DigitalGlobe's analysis centre, said the vessel had been photographed on 8 December off the Chinese coast by one of the company's orbiting satellites, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Mr Wood added that he was confident it was the Chinese carrier because of the location and date of the photo.

China - which says the carrier is intended for research and training - has so far not publicly commented on the claim.

Posted in: Chinese Aircraft Carrier