US statements and imagery show that China is making progress in completing the refurbishment of the ex-Soviet/Ukrainian aircraft carrier Varyag, now reported to have been renamed Admiral Shilang.rnAdmiral Robert F Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told the US House of Representatives on 23 March that "China's leaders are pursuing an aircraft carrier capability. ... I expect this carrier [the ex-Varyag] to become operational around 2012 and will likely be used to develop basic aircraft carrier skills."
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