These days it seems that every move that China makes is analyzed for meaning by some in the international arena.

The hullabaloo surrounding China's first-ever aircraft carrier is a ready example of how a natural step in its development has been twisted to mislead public opinion overseas.

The Ministry of Defense on Wednesday officially confirmed that China is revamping an old aircraft carrier. It is expected that the refitted Varyag, bought from Ukraine in 1998, will make its debut.

Prior to this, Western media reports, incorporating wild speculation and sensational rhetoric, have attempted to give the vessel undue significance and sought to use "China's first aircraft carrier" to whip up public concern about China's growing military might and reinforce the perception of a "China threat".

Announcing the launch of the carrier and its scientific research and training roles is a timely move by the ministry to quell any unnecessary concerns harbored by other countries and expose the absurdity of these Western media reports.

The launch itself doesn't merit its description in the Western media as a significant step in lifting the country's military capability and expanding its reach. An aircraft carrier is a complex system, but even so there is a long way to go before the carrier could be considered part of a combat force.

Aircraft carriers are no longer a rarity. Nine nations in the world, including several of China's neighbors, have aircraft carriers of different types in their naval fleets. In fact, as of June 2011, there were 20 active aircraft carriers in the world, with the United States possessing more than half of them.

China remains committed to a defensive national defense policy and it has repeatedly emphasized that it takes the road of peaceful development and will not pose a threat to any other country. Its military build-up is aimed at ensuring its defensive capability to protect its people, territory and national interests.

Even though it is a country with a vast territory and an 18,000-kilometer coastline, China was the only member of the United Nations Security Council that did not possess an aircraft carrier. This is not commensurate with its national strength and the growing responsibilities it is shouldering to help maintain world peace and stability.

China has stated on many occasions that its military modernization is in compliance with the changes occurring in the world today and the country is certainly justified in pursuing its aircraft carrier program to support its strategy of inshore defense.

The country has also repeatedly affirmed that it is willing to strengthen security cooperation with others and make due contributions to both regional and world peace and stability.

(China Daily 07/28/2011 page8)