A world-class force

Seventy years ago, in the early days of the People's Liberation Army Navy, the service used small, antiquated gunboats and even wooden boats that were ineffective in combat.

The Navy is now one of the world's major maritime forces and uses a variety of advanced military hardware, some of it is the best of its kind.

The service's growing prowess is illustrated by the rapid development of its aircraft carrier group and the deployment of new, powerful warships.

Its second - and first domestically designed - aircraft carrier recently concluded its fifth sea trial, which verified its command and control systems and combat capability.

All tests on the new carrier's power, combat and logistics-support capacities have produced good results, the Navy said.

The new carrier, China's largest and most sophisticated vessel - which is yet to be named - displaces at least 50,000 metric tons and has stronger fighting capabilities than the CNS Liaoning, currently the sole carrier in service.

The Liaoning carrier battle group now has initial operational capabilities and has conducted long-range deployment exercises, the Navy said.

China is also building its third carrier, military sources have confirmed.

Though the Navy has not revealed details, observers expect it to be larger than the first two carriers.