First combat-ready carrier
Aircraft carriers have long been regarded as a symbol of a country's naval power. At present there are 23 aircraft carriers in service for 10 countries, 10 of which belong to the US, and four belong to Japan [although the Japanese vessels only carry helicopters], according to media reports.
The government hopes that China's new carrier will enhance the country's maritime strength and lift people's morale.
But military experts think that it will take three years for the Type 001A to be ready for combat after it is launched, as testing and outfitting is required.
Liu Zijun, a military commentator, told the Nanfang Daily that this time can be shortened if needed. He gave two reasons that this might happen. Firstly the relevant technology is fairly mature based on the navy's experience with the Liaoning. Secondly due to the international security situation, it may be necessary to bring both the carriers into service as soon as possible "so as to enact deterrence around the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea at the same time."
Construction of the Type 001A began in late 2013, one year after the Liaoning was delivered and commissioned to the PLAN. Since being deployed, the Liaoning has made dozens of scientific research, test and training trips.
It is classified as a training ship and serves as a training and test platform for the PLAN. Thus the Type 001A, which was based on the Liaoning, will become China's first combat-ready carrier.
Liang Fang, with the Department of Strategic Studies of the National Defense University of the PLA, said that although the new ship is similar to the Liaoning in appearance and displacement, its interior structure and equipment have seen significant upgrades, and its integrated operational capability will be hugely improved.
The Liaoning was originally designed as a cruiser equipped with heavy equipment such as anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine weapons. But the Type 001A was designed to more effectively use air power. Its compartments were designed to hold carrier-based aircraft. Its power system was also researched and developed in accordance with PLAN needs, Liang told China Central Television in a recent interview.
"I'm looking forward to its deployment. But crew management plays a decisive role in combat effectiveness. The navy had zero experience on how to drive and manage the carriers before," Duan said, adding that he hopes the carriers will become powerful weapons for the country's blue ocean strategy.
But military experts and fans agree that China still lags far behind the US in carrier technology. The Type 001A is conventionally powered, with a full-load displacement of 50,000 tons and ski-jump-style launch ramps. But the US's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, which has recently completed manufacturer's trials and is expected to be delivered this year, is nuclear powered and has a 100,000-ton displacement. Replacing older steam-powered launch systems, its electrical system can launch heavier aircraft and works more quickly.
What's in a name?
The future name of the new carrier has also aroused heated discussion.
Li Jie, a military expert, said that the country might do things differently this time. While the Liaoning was named on the day of its delivery, the new carrier might be named when it is transferred from the dry dock into the water.
Many media outlets have speculated that it might be called the "Shandong" as it may join the Liaoning and be anchored at the Qingdao carrier base in East China's Shandong Province.
However, according to an online survey conducted by ifeng.com in January, 38 percent of the more than 300,000 respondents said it should be called the "Taiwan," while 21 percent preferred to call it the "Beijing" and 14 percent chose the "Guangdong."
Zhang Rongmin, a blogger and commentator on Taiwan politics living in Zhangzhou, East China's Fujian Province, said the new vessel is unlikely to be named the Taiwan.
"The name Taiwan declares the spirit of 'one China,' but it can also be interpreted as liberating Taiwan. The current Taiwan government, which is building vessels themselves, may also name its self-made vessel the Taiwan. Then the unification struggle will become a formalistic game," Zhang told the Global Times.
He said China now has five major issues to address. They are the Xiongan New Area, the Taiwan question, boundary disputes between the Tibet Autonomous Region and India, the South China Sea disputes and the Korean peninsula situation.
He believes "Hainan" is a better name regarding the southern island province's importance to maritime issues.
"The Liaoning is already docked in the north. The country is now promoting the Belt and Road initiative. If the new ship is deployed in the South China Sea, it can guard trade routes and strategically confront India at sea."
Chen said he hopes the ship will be named the Beijing.
"Beijing is the capital, which can demonstrate the paramount significance of the carrier," Chen said. "I think we will eventually have five to six aircraft carriers. We can name them after the municipalities."
According to a blog posted on nationalinterest.org, the website of an American bi-monthly international affairs magazine, China is now building a third aircraft carrier in Shanghai that is likely to be larger and far more capable than the Type 001A or the Liaoning.
