China has commissioned its first domestically built aircraft carrier on the edge of the disputed South China Sea, in a move observers say is designed to both highlight its growing military clout and give pause to Japan, the United States and Taiwan.
The country¡¯s second carrier, named the Shandong, entered service after a ¡°grand commissioning ceremony¡± in front of 5,000 people and overseen by President Xi Jinping at a naval base in Sanya ¡°at the doorstep of the South China Sea¡± on China¡¯s southern Hainan Island, state media reported.
Footage aired by China Central Television showed Xi boarding the ship to present a flag and certificate, sign the visitors¡¯ log and greet sailors. He also inspected aircraft and toured the bridge and flight coordination operations center.
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