China lands first jet on its aircraft carrier

BEIJING – China’s official news agency said the country has successfully landed a fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier.

Xinhua News Agency said the landing exercise marked the debut of a J-15 fighter jet, a carrier-based fighter-bomber developed by China.

Citing unnamed naval sources, Xinhua said Sunday that the carrier platform and J-15 capabilities met all requirements and achieved “good compatibility.”

Xinhua said the J-15 is able to carry anti-ship, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and precision-guided bombs.

China’s Liaoning ship formally entered into service in September, underscoring China’s ambitions to be a leading Asian naval power. But it is not expected to carry a full complement of planes or be ready for combat for some time.