Routine sea trial for carrier, spokeswoman says

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday reiterated that the Liaoning aircraft carrier's South China Sea trial is a normal arrangement in its scheduled training.

"We will continue to initiate new prospects in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," said Fan Liqing, of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference.

Fan made the remarks when responding to a question about Taiwan authority's concern about the carrier's possible passage through the Taiwan Strait.

The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, left its homeport of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province for the South China Sea on Tuesday on a scientific and training mission.

The aircraft carrier has conducted 10 sea trials since August 2011. Photos by Li Tang / for China Daily