Defense spokesman dismisses aircraft carrier explosion report  

外媒报道辽宁舰发生蒸汽爆炸 国防部：不符合事实

Reports in foreign media of an explosion on board China's Liaoning aircraft carrier did "not conform with the facts", Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a regular press conference Thursday.

Yang declined to answer questions about the construction of new aircraft carriers.

"As for the development and construction of China's new aircraft carriers, I have no further information to offer," Yang said.

China's aircraft carrier, the 300-meter Liaoning, was commissioned in September 2012.