China has launched its third aircraft carrier, the first of its kind to be wholly developed and constructed domestically.

According to state media reports, the 003 new-generation aircraft carrier, named Fujian, departed its dry-dock at a shipyard in Shanghai and berthed at a nearby pier in the morning.

State-run CCTV showed collected navy men standing beneath the big ship as water jets poured over its deck and multicolored streamers and smoke were discharged.

China intends to expand the range and power of its navy with this launch.

The ship's capabilities are believed to rival those of Western aircraft carriers. Beijing aspires to transform its navy, which is already the largest in the world, into a multi-carrier force.