Military confirms China's second carrier as South China Sea spats continue

China is building its second aircraft carrier using only Chinese designs and technology, The New York Times reported, citing a transcribed statement from defense ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun. Yang confirmed the carrier was being built in the northeastern port city of Dalian, but gave no details on a completion date. The announcement came shortly before Vietnam protested the landing of a Chinese plane on an artificial island built by Chinese forces on the Fiery Cross reef, located in contested waters. Hanoi has also asked Beijing to investigate the ramming and sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat by a suspected Chinese vessel.