The first Chinese-built aircraft carrier began sea trials Sunday. It's called Type 001A — at least for now, since the name's temporary.
This is a pretty big step in Chinese President Xi Jinping's goal to turn the country's navy into a "world-class force" under Chinese Communist Party leadership.
The new aircraft carrier is the country's second; it's the first built and designed entirely in China. China's first aircraft carrier was a retrofitted Soviet-era ship from the Ukraine.
Construction on the new ship started in November 2013.
The aircraft carrier needs to complete sea trials before it's fully operational. CNN reports it'll join the Chinese navy sometime before 2020.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
