China confirms high-sea voyage of aircraft carrier

BEIJING - A military spokesman confirmed Thursday that China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is set to conduct a voyage on the high seas.

When and in what waters the voyage will be conducted will be decided in accordance with overall conditions, Yang Yujun, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference.

Song Xue, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, said Tuesday that China will have more than one aircraft carrier.

While speaking at a ceremony in Beijing to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy, Song said, "The next aircraft carrier we need will be larger and able to carry more fighters."

Song also refuted some foreign media reports that China was building new aircraft carriers in Shanghai, saying such reports were not accurate.