Yin Zhuo, major general of the People's Liberation Army

Refitting an aircraft carrier does not mean upsetting balance in the region, or a change in our national defense strategy, which is essentially defensive. It will not change our offshore defensive strategy, either. China's navy has been playing an active role in developing open-sea cooperation and in dealing with nontraditional security threats, but our role is only limited to the field of nontraditional security, which is actually defensive as well.

Yue Gang, former colonel of General Staff Headquarters of the People's Liberation Army

Whether we will have another aircraft carrier is still unknown, but it is not time to compete in numbers. Our navy may slow down the pace of building the next, learn more of "Varyag" and build a more cost-effective one. A carrier is strategically an offensive weapon, but its role eventually depends on how to use it. China will use it to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, so it is defensive. And it alone is unlikely to change China's military status in the world.

Cao Weidong, researcher with the People's Liberation Army Navy's Academic Research Institute

An aircraft carrier needs a power system, a weapon system, ship-borne radar and communications equipment. It takes a rather long time to develop such a set of equipment from scratch. Additionally, it is totally different piloting a shipboard aircraft than a ground-landing aircraft, so the pilots need special training. As a result, we won't have combat capabilities in the near future.

Meng Xiangqing, professor at the People's Liberation Army National Defense University

The time-consuming and energy-draining refitting of the "Varyag" carrier reflects Chineses navy's principle of pursuing both steadiness and excellence in developing aircraft carrier. As we all know, in today's world, many countries, including the great powers, started their development of aircraft carriers by refitting old ones.

@Wangjiaoshou Sina Weibo user

Aircraft carriers can greatly increase China's power projection capabilities. Whether in wartime or not, for a country without overseas military bases like China, an aircraft carrier can effectively protect the sea routes for important resources, and deter potential military threats and enhance political influence in regions where we have major interests.

@Fuqi Sina Weibo user

The US has 11 carrier battle groups, while China is only building its first. One hundred years later, when historians look back on China’s rise to be one of the great powers, this aircraft carrier may be seen as a turning point. Just as Britain couldn’t stop the US rise in the early 20th century, the US cannot stop China’s in the 21st century, and we can see the signs everywhere.