China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, anchors at its homeport in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 27, 2013. It is the first time for the aircraft carrier to anchor at its homeport, meaning that the naval base for aircraft carrier in Qingdao is operational after four years of construction, according to a People's Liberation Army Navy statement. [Photo: Xinhua]

 

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has docked at its homeport in eastern Qingdao for the first time.

The anchorage marks the first for the port itself, which took 4 years to build.

The Liaoning is also said to have tested its weapons system during its sail from the Dalian Ship Building Company to Qingdao.

Since it was delivered to the Chinese Navy last September, the Liaoning has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15.

And Military expert Liang Fang, says they won't be the last.

"There will be more technological tests in the future. Those tests will still be focused on carrier-borne jets. We've already tested the taking-off and touching-down of the jets, which is basic tests. Pilots will undergo training of flying at night and attaching weapons to the jets. We'll also carry out exercises with other vessels."

The Liaoning is a refurbished former Soviet Union ship, which the Chinese government purchased from Ukraine.