Taiwan Intelligence: China Is Building Two Aircraft Carriers

China's first aircraft carrier, a retrofitted Soviet-era aircraft carrier that China bought in 1998, is seen docked at Dalian Port, in Liaoning province, on Sept. 22, 2012. REUTERS/Stringer

Reuters: China building two aircraft carriers: Taiwan defense ministry report

China is building two aircraft carriers that will be the same size as its sole carrier, a 60,000-tonne refurbished Soviet-era ship, according to a new Taiwanese Defence Ministry report on the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Little is known about China's aircraft carrier program, which is a state secret, although Chinese state media have hinted new vessels are being built. The Pentagon, in a report earlier this year, said Beijing could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years.

One of the new vessels is being built in Shanghai and the other in the northeastern city of Dalian, said the Taiwanese report, which was obtained by Reuters.

It gave no estimate for when construction would be finished.

Update: China Building Two Aircraft Carriers, According to Taiwanese Intelligence -- Sputnik

WNU Editor: Details are sparse, but China has in the past indicated that their long term plans are to build two or more aircraft carriers.