China is designing and building its second aircraft carrier “completely on its own” in Dalian in northeastern Liaoning province, a Defense Ministry spokesperson confirmed on Dec 31.

This carrier, with a displacement of 50,000 tonnes, will be a base for J-15 fighters and other types of aircraft, Yang Yujun told a monthly press briefing.

Fixed-wing aircraft on the carrier will use a ski-jump to take off, he said.

The design and building of this second aircraft carrier has been based on experience, research and training on the first carrier, the Liaoning, he added.

China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a refitted Russian-made carrier delivered to the Chinese Navy on Sept 25, 2012.