CHINA WILL NOT SEND THE LIAONING (CV-16) AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO SYRIA

(121125) -- LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, Nov. 25, 2012 (Xinhua) -- This undated photo shows China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, sailing on the sea. China has successfully conducted flight landing on its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. After its delivery to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sept. 25, the aircraft carrier has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15. Capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility, the PLA Navy said. Designed by and made in China, the J-15 is able to carry multi-type anti-ship, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as precision-guided bombs. The J-15 has comprehensive capabilities comparable to those of the Russian Su-33 jet and the U.S. F-18, military experts estimated. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

(121125) -- LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, Nov. 25, 2012 (Xinhua) -- This undated photo shows China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, sailing on the sea. China has successfully conducted flight landing on its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. After its delivery to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sept. 25, the aircraft carrier has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15. Capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility, the PLA Navy said. Designed by and made in China, the J-15 is able to carry multi-type anti-ship, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as precision-guided bombs. The J-15 has comprehensive capabilities comparable to those of the Russian Su-33 jet and the U.S. F-18, military experts estimated. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

The Chinese government announced that it has no plans to send its navy’s only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (CV-16), to Syria.

This is despite several reports that China already had or was planning to send her there in order to help Russia fight Islamist terrorists.

Responding to the rumors, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying said that there was no plan to send the Liaoning to Syria, and that the aircraft carrier was currently involved in technical training and military exercises.

Regarding the issue, The Global Times, a Chinese tabloid newspaper, run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily newspaper, said on Wednesday that it was an “unfounded rumor” that China would interfere militarily in Syria. They also said, “It’s not China that brought chaos to Syria, and China has no reason to rush to the frontlines and play a confrontational role”.

In the past China has expressed concern about foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs and has repeatedly called for a political solution.

The Liaoning (CV-16) was commissioned on the 25th of September 2012 and is generally considered by western military experts to be a training carrier. She carries 24 Shenyang J-15 fighters; 6 Changhe Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters; 4 Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters and 2 Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopters.

So far she has never been deployed abroad and her pilots are still in training to learn how to operate from the carrier.

Image Sourced: Xinhua

 

 

 

 

 

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