China flexes military muscle by launching new aircraft carrier amid tensions with North Korea

China has shown off its growing military strength by launching a new aircraft carrier, amid rising international tensions over North Korea.

The 500,000 tonne carrier is the country’s second and the first to be created domestically. It was towed from its dockyard at 9AM yesterday, after being officially unveiled for the first time in Dalian, a northern port city.

The huge display of military strength comes as US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson continues on its path to the Korean Peninsula, amid fears that Kim Jong-Un is set to embark on a sixth missile launch.

But China has reportedly been angered by the US after a missile defence system was deployed to a site in North Korea as tensions continue to simmer between the two countries.

The US government has continually urged China, which is Pyongyang’s only ally, to deter the hermit state from launching further nuclear weapons tests.

The aircraft carrier, which began construction in 2015, is expected to be fully commissioned for use before 2020 after extensive trials.

It is based on the Soviet Kuznetsov design, and boasts a ski jump style deck for taking off, along with a steam turbine power plant.

Now, China is also believed to be planning the construction of at least two and possibly four more additional carriers, with one, the Type 002, reportedly under construction at a shipyard in Shanghai.