STORY: State broadcaster CCTV carried footage of the warship's launch and official naming ceremony at the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, featuring champagne, colourful ribbons, water cannons and smoke.

Dozens of Chinese Navy personnel lined up in front of the ship and sang the national anthem at the ceremony, which was also attended by senior officials including Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The aircraft carrier features a full-length flight deck with a catapult launch system, according to state media.