Highlights of Liaoning carrier's one-year service

China's aircraft carrier Liaoning's sea trial in October 2012. [Photo/Navy.81.cn]

Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, has served for a whole year in the People's Liberation Army, since it was commissioned into the Chinese navy on Sept 25, 2012, after being completely rebuilt and undergoing sea trials. It marked China as the 10th country to have an aircraft carrier in active service.

Senior Captain Zhang Zheng, 44, is the captain of Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier.

During the past year, Liaoning has taken part in many military training sessions and scientific research.

In November 2012, China's first-generation multi-purpose carrier-borne fighter jet J-15 successfully conducted its first take-off and landing maneuver, and the crew members' gestures to give a green light to the pilot have been tirelessly imitated by Chinese Internet users.

In late February, it took part in the maritime weapons equipment test and docked at Qingdao port for the first time.

From June to July, J-15s performed take-off and landing exercises on Liaoning. It also witnessed China's first batch of carrier-borne fighter pilots and commanders being certified for aircraft and carrier operations.

On Aug 28, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the chairman of the Central Military Commission and general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, boarded the aircraft carrier and watched a training session on it.

On Sept 21, Liaoning successfully completed the third sea trial and docked at Qingdao port after performing a series of military training and scientific research.