China Launches Second Aircraft, Showing Off Growing Navy Power

China launched its second — and first domestically made — aircraft carrier on Wednesday amid rising tensions over North Korea and unsolved disputes in the South China Sea.

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The new carrier, Type 001A, "transferred from dry dock into the water at a launch ceremony" in China’s northeastern port city of Dalian. “Putting the carrier into water marks progress in China's efforts to design and build a domestic aircraft carrier,” the official Xinhua news agency said.

The launch followed the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy on Sunday. China also displayed its first nuclear-powered submarine and announced a tour of a fleet to more than 20 countries in celebration, according to China Daily.

China currently has only one operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which was built more than 25 years ago by the Soviet Union. China later brought it from Ukraine. After being refitted at the same shipyard, the Liaoning joined the Navy in 2012.

The new Type001A is larger than the Liaoning, and its construction started in 2013. The Defense Ministry previously said it would displace 50,000 tons and carry China’s J-15 aircraft along with other planes. It will use conventional power rather than nuclear.

When commissioned, the new carrier will be more dedicated to military and humanitarian operations, while the Liaoning will be used mainly for training.

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The launch of the new carrier comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is approaching the region.

With growing navy power, China will not only keep an eye on coastal defense, but also would like to secure its interest in international waters, such as the western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

It also sends a strong signal to China’s neighbors around the South China Sea. China claims complete sovereignty over the resource-rich water, while many Southeast Asian countries hold disputed islands.

After the launch, the new carrier will undergo equipment debugging, outfitting and mooring trials to be fully operational. It is not expected to enter service until 2020.