CMC Deputy Chairman Fan Changlong Cuts Rope to Launch Aircraft Carrier

What a beautiful day it was with bright sun, blue sky and subtle breeze! At 9 o’clock a.m. on Apr. 26, the launching ceremony for the second China aircraft carrier was grandly held at DSIC yard under CSIC, presided by Political Commissar of China Navy Miao Hua. The member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Central Military Commission Deputy Chairman Fang Changlong attended the ceremony and delivered a speech while CSIC Chairman and Aircraft Carrier Commander Hu Wenming and the China Navy Commander Shen Jinlong making speeches separately.
  
Hu Wenming Expressed in his speech, our second aircraft carrier is the first one with fully independent design, self construction and homemade support equipment. Under concerted efforts of the whole-line management and staff, we are going to greet the exciting historic moment of launching through 1200 days of elaborate fabrication. The first homemade aircraft carrier is fast in construction speed, fine in quality, and economic in cost. Her launching one month ahead of schedule indicates that the series of important innovations for our homemade aircraft carrier in scientific and technical innovative system, huge system engineering management system and civil-military integration and collaboration system have passed practical inspection, and that our talents and teams in R&D, design and construction for self-developed aircraft carrier are veteran. We have confidence, ability and vigor in embarking on a new journey of aircraft carrier development and smoothly accomplishing new mission granted by the Party and nation. After launching, the tasks of mooring tests and sea trials remain arduous. We will band together around the CPC headed by comrade Xi Jinping, stand at the forefront of epoch, equipment and technology, keep up with the core and hold up the bottom line, roll up sleeves to work harder, promote the spirit of aircraft carrier, work closely, tackle key problems smartly, dare to play with a determination to win, and dedicate to forging the aircraft carrier into a fine project so as to welcome grand convening of the 19th CPC Congress with new achievements of naval equipment construction.

With warm applause, accompanied by Hu Wenming and Shen Jinlong, Fan Changlong stepped forward to cut the colorful rope with an ax, a bottle of Champagne broken into pieces on the bow, and flowery ribbons sprayed from both sides of aircraft carrier, ships around ringing whistles together, firecrackers cracking ear-splitting, and applause clapping prolonged. The aircraft carrier was undocking slowly to anchor along the pier safely and smoothly.

The steel cutting for the 2nd aircraft carrier was conducted in November of 2013, and keel-laying in dock in March of 2015. Up to now, its main hull has been completed with major systems and equipment of power and electricity installed in position. Undocking is one of major milestones for construction of aircraft carrier, which marks our country has achieved the phased achievements in independent design and construction of aircraft carrier. Following that, commissioning of systems and equipment and outfitting construction aboard the aircraft carrier will be conducted, together with mooring tests fully carried out.

Leaders from China Navy, CSIC and relevant military and local authorities, research staff, DSIC employees and troop representatives involved in construction attended the ceremony.