China’s long march to the sea

Chinese carrier aircraft – like this J-15 – currently still rely on a ski-jump for launch. Now both electromagnetic and steam-powered catapults are under test. THE CAPACITY of Beijing’s military machine to spring surprises shows no sign of abating. On April 26, China launched a new aircraft carrier, the yet unnamed Type 001A. Once shrouded in secrecy, such events are now more widely publicised, and the extensive coverage in the Chinese state media soon filtered through to Western channels. Currently,