China upgrades its naval force with its first indigenous aircraft carrier

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, colored smoke mark the launch ceremony for China's third aircraft carrier christened Fujian at a dry dock in Shanghai on Friday, June 17, 2022. (Li Gang/AP)

BEIJING — Beijing launched a new-generation aircraft carrier Friday, the first such ship to be both designed and built in China, in a milestone as it seeks to extend the range and power of its navy.

The Type 003 carrier christened Fujian left its drydock at a shipyard outside Shanghai in the morning and tied up at a nearby pier, state media reports said.