"An aircraft carrier is a symbol of overall national strength and a symbol of the competitiveness of the nation's naval force," defence ministry spokesman Huang Xueping told journalists.

"The Chinese government will take into overall account the relevant factors and seriously consider the relevant issue," he said, when asked when the Chinese navy would acquire an aircraft carrier.

Huang was speaking at a rare press conference in which he briefed journalists on the dispatch of three Chinese naval ships to the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy there.

China has reportedly been considering either building or buying an aircraft carrier for over a decade but so far the plans have not materialised.

However, Huang insisted that such a warship would help the navy fulfil its task of protecting the nation's huge coastline.

"China has vast oceans," Huang said. "It is the solemn responsibility of China's armed forces to ensure the country's maritime security and uphold the sovereignty of its coastal waters and maritime rights and interests."

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