China is getting ready to begin sea trials of its first domestically built aircraft carrier known as Type 001A.

According to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) Chairman Liu Zheng, all the equipment and devices on the carrier are now in the joint debugging stage and Type 001A is getting ready for its first sea trial although the exact timing will depend on factors like the weather and sea conditions. The carrier is likely to be ready for commissioning by the end of 2018, according to Liu. 

The Type 001A was launched in Dalian on 26 April 2017.