China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning at work. （Photo via navy.81.cn）
Aircraft carriers will be the centerpiece of a modern blue-water navy, and strong air defense will be decisive in modern warfare on the open sea, he said.
The Liaoning can carry a total of 24 J-15 fighters, while the Type 001A has an aircraft capacity of 36.
A third domestically-designed "new-generation" carrier is under construction in Shanghai.
According to Yang, key upgrades for future carriers are expected to include an electromagnetic catapult launch system and full electric propulsion. The fifth-generation fighters and unmanned fighters and bombers will be likely among carrier-borne aircraft.
