(Newsroom America) -- China sent its first aircraft carrier to sea trials earlier this week, the latest advance in Beijing's efforts to become a stronger naval power capable of challenging U.S. hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region.
The vessel, a revamped warship that was initially built for the Soviet navy in the 1990s, is smaller than U.S. carriers, has fewer personnel and features an upward slope bow to launch aircraft. But the mere existence of the carrier signifies Beijing's desire to become a more powerful player in its quest to become the dominant power in Asia.
The hull, purchased from Ukraine, has a new engine, guns and radar but is not fully functional yet and must be supported by other vessels. China has said it will use the ship mainly for training purposes. It's designed to carry about 50 jets, and is not nuclear-powered but is believed to have a gas-turbine or marine diesel engine.
The carrier has yet to be named. China's official Xinhua news agency ran a commentary Wednesday seeking to downplay its significance.
"There should be no excessive worries or paranoid feelings on China's pursuit of an aircraft carrier, as it will not pose a threat to other countries," the commentary said.
Still, the ship will send a powerful message both to the Chinese people, who have long equated aircraft carriers with strength, and to regional nations, many of which have longstanding territorial disputes with Beijing.
And, the vessel represents China's intent on both dominating the waters in and around Asia, as well as projecting power to protect its global interests elsewhere, analysts say.
The biggest hurdles are yet to be overcome, however. Even Chinese analysts say it could take as much as 10 years or more to develop the tactics and infrastructure to operate a modern aircraft carrier group which also includes destroyers and frigates, submarines and satellites all operating on a central command system, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The U.S. operates 11 nuclear-powered carriers, and one of them - the U.S.S. George Washington - is stationed in Japan.
The group of nations that also operate carriers - which are expensive and difficult to maintain - is small. Russia, France, India, Spain, Brazil, Thailand and the United Kingdom all operate one carrier each; Italy operates two.
© 2010 Newsroom America.
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