New Aircraft Carrier Boosts China's Military Power

China has showcased its growing military might by launching its new aircraft carrier.

The as-yet-unnamed carrier is the country's second - but the first to be domestically made. 

State media reported that the 50,000-ton warship, which was launched at a ceremony at the North Eastern port of Dalian, would be operational by 2020. 

It is expected that the ship will be a significant upgrade on China's current only operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

The design of the new carrier is based on the Soviet Kuznetsov-class, meaning it has a ski jump-style take off ramp and is steam powered. 

It won't, therefore, be able to stay at sea as long as American nuclear-powered carriers. 

The ship's launch comes amid rising tensions between the US and North Korea, as well as ongoing disputes over territory in the South China Sea.

China is in the process of modernising its military, after it announced an approximate 7% increase in defence spending.

As many as four more carriers could follow. These are expected to be closer in design to the 100,000-tonne US Nimitz-class carrier.

A ship of this class would allow China to deploy aircraft carrying more weapons and more fuel.