25 September 2012 Last updated at 09:54

In pictures: Liaoning - China's first aircraft carrier

Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning berthed at a shipyard in Dalian with sailors on board, 25 Sept 2012

The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, officially entered service with the navy on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry has announced.

The engine-less hulk of Soviet navy aircraft carrier Varyag towed and escorted by a flotilla of tugboats and pilot ship through the Bosphorus Straits in Istanbul, 01 Nov 2001

The Liaoning was originally a Soviet ship called Varyag. A company with links to the Chinese military bought the ship from Ukraine, and eventually towed it out of the Black Sea in 2001.

Former Soviet carrier Varyag undergoing a re-fitting at the port of Dalian, 27 July 2011

The new owner claimed it wanted to turn it into a floating casino in Macau, but it was then refitted as an aircraft carrier for China at the port in Dalian.

Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning berthed at a shipyard in Dalian, 22 Sept 2012

No operational aircraft have been assigned to the warship yet, but China says the Liaoning will increase its capacity to defend its national interests.

A ceremony was held to mark the formal hand-over to the navy. State media report Chinese President Hu Jintao attended and inspected the ship.

China

In pictures: Liaoning - China's first aircraft carrier

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