Xi aboard first aircraft carrier, watches training

SHENYANG - President Xi Jinping has visited the Shenyang military theater of operations and watched a training session for the country's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the military to deeply implement the goal of strengthening the troops so as to constantly enhance the ability of fulfilling missions, during his recent visit to northeast China.

Xi, who is general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged the military to make greater contributions to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

On Wednesday, he watched take-off and landing training of carrier-based aircraft and asked questions about the equipment at a training base of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Xi applauded the pilots' efficient performance and praised their command of flight skills under complicated weather conditions.

He also visited the city of Dalian and went aboard the aircraft carrier, Liaoning, at the Dalian Port, to review a parade of the honor guard.

On the carrier, Xi went down to the cabin. He asked about the capabilities and features of the equipment on board and was told about soldiers' training progress.