The Inside Story On How China Got Its First Aircraft Carrier

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South China Morning: The inside story of the Liaoning: how Xu Zengping sealed deal for China's first aircraft carrier



In the mid-1990s, the former PLA basketball star was contacted by officers within the PLA Navy with a secretive mission: go to Ukraine and buy the Soviet-built carrier



WNU Editor: This is a fascinating story .... and knowing what I know about the Chinese .... not surprising. You can read the three-part series here (though you will need a free registration with SCMP first): part 1 ; part 2 ; part 3 .

More News On How China Got Its First Aircraft Carrier

Exposed: How China Purchased Its First Aircraft Carrier -- Zachary Keck< National Interest Beijing ‘never paid’ for aircraft carrier, report says -- Japan Times/AFP-JIJI

Stacks of Dollar Bills, Gifts and $20 Million- The Price of China’s Aircraft Carrier -- Defense World

The Liaoning story says much about modern China -- Sam Roggeveenn, The Interpreter