BEJING:China plans to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of remaining at sea for long durations.

According to media reports this would be a major upgrade for the country increasingly formidable navy.

The Communist Party newspaper Global Times said the goal is to provide high-quality weapon systems for navy’s strategic transition to a deep blue high seas force by 2025.

The Global Times has also quoted China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation as saying that initial work had begun on the ship.AP