China's first aircraft carrier was delivered and commissioned to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, Sept 25, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun on Thursday dismissed foreign media reports saying that China is building a second aircraft carrier in Shanghai and that it will be launched late this year.

"Such reports are inaccurate," Yang said at a regular news briefing.

Yang said China will plan the development of aircraft carriers in an all-round way, taking its national economic and social development and the needs of national defense and military construction into account.

"We have strict regulations about the naming and hull numbers of naval vessels, as they are authorized by the Central Military Commission," Yang said.

When asked to confirm reports that the Chinese navy will create an aircraft carrier formation in the future and build an aircraft carrier base in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao, Yang said "the formation is generally made up of the aircraft carrier itself, escort vessels, submarines and aircraft. China will study the issue in accordance with the development and real needs of the aircraft carrier."

China's first aircraft carrier, delivered and commissioned to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Tuesday, will be used to conduct scientific experiments and military training, Yang said.

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