It is chiefly because of political reasons that China chooses not to build aircraft carrier", according to a navy expert, "some Western countries, seeing China's rapid development, dished out the "China menace" theory in hopes to hold back the nation's developing trend. Some neighboring countries are on their guard against ours defense forces while a stable neighboring environment is of critical importance to China as a country focusing on developing economy."

A visit to "Varyag"

The "Varyag" as a past titan bought by a Macao entertainment company from Ukraine in 1998 lies quietly on a deserted ground in northeast China's Dalian port. Though an old empty rusty hull from the days of former Soviet Union back to 1985, the carrier still poses its attraction and curiosity to people on this alien land of China.

Needless to say chiefs heading the Dalian shipyard keep their mouth shut on how to deal with this Soviet old carrier which, with its 60-fighter capacity and missile launchers, was once lauded the "gem of Soviet Union fleet" during its heydays.

Currently the world sees roving around 26 aircraft carriers from 10 countries on active service, including 12 the US claims and the others by some developing countries as India, Argentina, Brazil and Thailand. Japan also had its first large warship launched as "para-aircraft carrier" in 1998. As a result, discussion on whether China should have its own carrier has been running hot among ordinary people.

Political Reasons

On the contrary, Chinese experts on military strategy and equipment are very cautious about the matter. "Whether to build an aircraft carrier depends on the nation's navy strategies and its strategic military demand" are the words most often on experts' lips. "It is chiefly because of political reasons that China chooses not to build aircraft carrier", according to a navy expert, "some Western countries, seeing China's rapid development, dished out the "China menace" theory in hopes to hold back the nation's developing trend. Some neighboring countries are on their guard against ours defense forces while a stable neighboring environment is of critical importance to China as a country focusing on developing economy. In this sense, not to build aircraft carrier is a correct decision for China at the current stage".

On the other hand, an aircraft carrier is no doubt a big luxury in terms of expense. Take US's "Nimitz" for example, it had consumed US$4.5 billion (about 30 billion yuan) to build it, and a combat group needs many aircraft, at least 20 to 30 in number. Besides, according to the US pattern, a single fleet usually includes an aircraft carrier, 2 to 3 missile cruisers or destroyers, 2 to 3 anti-submarine destroyers or corvettes, 1 to 3 SSNs, 1 to 2 supply ships, and 7 to 12 other ships. Except for expenditure to keep a thousand-people staff on the carrier, it also needs to pay for the satellite navigation.

All these are still not enough. Theoretically aircraft carriers need training and maintenance. As seen for the 12 carriers of the US, usually one third is under repair in plants, one third in training and one third put into operation. Following the mode, China needs at least three carriers to guarantee one in battle array.

Technology Possession?

Is China capable of manufacturing a sophisticated system of aircraft carrier not considering political and financial reasons? Experts are divided over discussions regarding technological capability. Some give positive answers, saying that although lack of real experience on aircraft carriers, China has long been capable of building over 100,000 tons civil vessels as well as military ships on a medium and small scale.

While others argue that currently some important technologies are not mature, such as the ejection technique, which enables the aircraft to take off on the 200 to 300 meter-long deck. Neither has China the suitable aircraft, for which some experts have suggested the Su-27 once used by former Soviet Union.

(People's Daily December 9, 2002)