There has been wide speculation about China's aircraft carrier for a while, but finally we have official confirmation that China is remodeling an old aircraft carrier, which the Ministry of Defense says will be used for scientific research and training. However, the launch of the aircraft carrier does not mean China will change its defensive national defense policy, says an editorial in the People's Liberation Army Daily. Excerpts:

As battleships that were used on a large scale in World War II, aircraft carriers have long been familiar naval vessels. But China's move to have an aircraft carrier has still drawn much attention and interest from the public.

Indeed, China is the only permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the only BRICS member state not to have an aircraft carrier.

Moreover, China has been falling behind other countries, even some Asian ones.

It is a matter of course that China now possesses its own aircraft carrier and is building a strong naval defense.

Maritime interests are undoubtedly important to China, because it has one of the longest coastlines in the world. From 1840 to 1949, China suffered invasions by Western imperialists many times from the sea and was forced to sign more than 700 unequal treaties.

The humiliation and defeat that China suffered in the Opium Wars and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 made the Chinese swallow the bitter fruit for not having a strong navy. These made it realize that backwardness leaves one vulnerable to attack.

The 21st century is being called an "ocean century" as the seas have become important areas where countries are competing more fiercely for marine rights and interests. Marine security has become one of the priorities of national security.

Only with a strong naval power can a nation safeguard its maritime rights and interests. To effectively fulfill the historic mission of the People's Liberation Army, as well as to protect China's national interests across the globe, it is objectively essential that China make every effort to build a strong naval force commensurate with its international status and national development.

Some countries with ulterior motives equate China's possession of aircraft carriers with the "China threat" theory. As a warfare platform, whether an aircraft carrier is used for attack or defense is fundamentally determined by a country's national defense policy and military strategy.

The Chinese people pursue peace and justice. It is the strategic decision of the Chinese government to stick to the path of peaceful development in accordance with the trend of the times and its own fundamental interests.

China's development is and will always be that of a peaceful power. No matter to what extent it develops, China will never seek hegemony, military expansion or an arms race.

Even if it gains ground in the development of aircraft carriers in the future, China will not pose a threat to any country in the region or beyond. Instead, it will be able to shoulder even greater responsibility for world peace.

The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily 07/29/2011 page9)