China’s first aircraft carrier completes sea trials

China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, successfully completed a series of tests during a 37-day training mission in the disputed South China Sea and has returned to port, the official Xinhua news agency reported.Diplomats watching the scene expect China to send it to the East China Sea and areas around the Diaoyu Islands, which are contested by China and Japan.Aircraft, naval vessels and submarines also participated in the Liaoning’s tests. The Chinese naval ship accompanying the carrier had a near collision with a US Navy ship for which both sides blamed the other. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called China’s behaviour “irresponsible.” But the Chinese media blamed the US ship for getting too close to the Liaoning.“All tests and training programs went well as scheduled,” the state news agency said.