China’s first aircraft carrier completed its five-day maiden voyage into the Yellow Sea, returning to its temporary home port of Dalian on Sunday, the South China Morning Post reported. The Soviet-built carrier, formerly known as the Varyag, was towed in by six vessels as dockworkers set off firecrackers to celebrate the giant vessel’s return from its first sea trial. Few details were reported about the test run, but the Global Times said the carrier had simulated landings on its distinctive ski-jump deck. It has been widely speculated that the still-unfinished J-15, China’s version of the Soviet-made Su-33, was intended for use on the carrier. Engines, electronic devices and weaponry had been removed from the half-completed ship prior to the ship’s purchase by China from Ukraine in 1998 for US$20 million. Antony Wong Dong of the International Military Association in Macau said the heavy reliance by Chinese vessels and aircraft on Russian-produced engines was one of the People’s Liberation Army’s biggest shortcomings in terms of military technology.