The Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, returned to its home port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on Wednesday after a 37-day trial in the South China Sea.

The Liaoning left port on November 26 for its first cross-sea training voyage since it was commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) last year.

During the voyage, officers and soldiers on board completed a series of comprehensive tests, including trials on the aircraft carrier's seaworthiness under high seas and speed measurements under deep water conditions. It also conducted drills on more than 100 indicators of its combat system under simulated combat circumstances.

According to a source with the PLAN, the aircraft carrier also conducted the first formation practice which centered on the Liaoning.

Such tests "attained the anticipated objectives," the source said.

Liaoning's combat and power systems have been further tested during the trip.

"All tests and training programs went as scheduled," said the source.

The PLAN dispatched aircraft, naval vessels and submarines in multiple models to participate in the tests.

The aircraft carrier was escorted by two missile destroyers, the Shijiazhuang and the Shenyang, as well as two missile frigates, the Yantai and Weifang, while en route to the trial waters.

While the trials were taken in the South China Sea, where China and several neighboring countries have territorial disputes, the PLAN had stated that it was a "normal arrangement."

Global Times