China's first aircraft carrier has started sea trials. Here are some facts and figures on the ship:
Name: Unknown. Originally Varyag, but expected to be re-christened Shi Lang after the Qing Dynasty general who recaptured Taiwan.
Length: 304.5m
Width: 70.5 meters
Draft: 11 metres
Power: 4 steam turbines delivering 200,000 horse power
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h)
Displacement: 66,000 tons.
Aircraft capacity: 50 plus
Crew: approx 2,000
Reconstruction: 3,447 days, since arriving in Dalian March, 3, 2002.
Defence: FL-3000N interceptor missile
Radar: four multifunctional phased array radar panels, possibly similar to those installed on the Type 052C Luyang-II class destroyers.
History: Varyag was an Admiral Kuznetsov class multirole aircraft carrier belonging to the Soviet Union. She was laid down on December 6, 1985 and launched December 4, 1988. She was purchased by the Chinese at auction for US$20 million by Chong Lot Travel Agency, a company widely believed to be a front for Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Chong Lot stated that the ship would become a floating entertainment centre and casino in Macau.