Aircraft carrier Fujian to play due role in safeguarding national sovereignty: spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Tuesday said that China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, will surely play its due role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference while responding to a query regarding the Fujian's recent tests and training activities in the South China Sea, as well as whether it meant the carrier was about to enter service.

The Fujian recently passed through the Taiwan Strait to carry out scientific research tests and training missions in the South China Sea, which is a regular arrangement in the aircraft carrier's construction process, in line with relevant international law and international practice and is not aimed at any specific country or target, said Jiang.

"China is committed to peaceful development and pursues a defense policy that is defensive in nature, and we have always advanced aircraft carrier construction based on national security needs and the development of equipment technology," the spokesperson said.