Sea trials of China's second aircraft carrier have been conducted safely and smoothly and achieved the anticipated goals, China's Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.

China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, is being towed off dock by ships for the second sea trial at the shipyard of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. in Dalian city, northeast China's Liaoning province, 26 August 2018. (Photo: IC)

Wu Qian, spokesperson for the ministry, said at a regular press conference that the aircraft carrier left a dock at Dalian Shipyard in northeast China's Liaoning Province in recent days for the sea trials to test its equipment platform and facilities.

Wu said the operation was a normal arrangement in the construction plan of the carrier and its construction is being carried forward steadily in accordance with the plan.