China refutes assertion of copycat jet technology

BEIJING - A spokesman for China's Defense Ministry has countered suggestions that the development of China's carrier-borne fighter jet copied US technologies.

China sticks to independent innovation and has the capacity to build and develop its own aircraft carrier, said Geng Yansheng in response to a question at a press conference on Thursday.

He said that the laws for military development are objective. The principles of building some items of military equipment are the same, while the command and safeguard methods are similar.

"The assertion of China copying a foreign country's aircraft carrier technologies is unprofessional, if not an intentional attack," said Geng.

China successfully conducted its first landing of a jet on an aircraft carrier on November 24.

A very transparent attitude was taken amid the landing exercises, said Geng, adding that China released the news in a timely manner. News reports about the exercises through radio, TV, newspaper and Internet are abundant.