China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is seen in a still from a promotional video released by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the company responsible for refitting the carrier for the Chinese PLA navy. Photo: cntv.cn

China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning has become the star of its own music video, after training footage filmed on board and set to music was made public for the first time on Monday.

The six-minute music video, featuring the song "Lead the Dreams," was uploaded by the State-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), on its website. AVIC is responsible for refitting the Liaoning for Chinese use after its purchase from Ukraine in 1998. The song was commissioned especially for the video, with one version available with lyrics, and another just instrumental.

The clip is dedicated to those who have worked to develop China's first aircraft carrier, according to the opening credits. The video shows the carrier's sea trials and the takeoffs and landings of the carrier-based J-15 aircraft as well as navy force training drills, all accompanied by stirring music.

The film was made in an effort to activate patriotic enthusiasm, attract more young people to join the country's development of aircraft and carriers as well as realize the Chinese dream, said AVIC spokesman Zhu Hongbin Monday.

Letting the public know more about the aircraft carrier will help them know about the construction of national defense and display a "more transparent China," said Zhu.

Zhu said it is also a dedication to the Chinese navy ahead of April 23, the 65th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy.

The video sparked intense discussion online, with many Net users expressing their confidence toward the Liaoning carrier's fighting capability and to national defense.

It's very rarely seen, but it's quite an effective way to promote the Liaoning and the navy, said Li Jie, a military expert.

"The Chinese military is not used to disclosing or displaying its aircraft or training in such a high-profile way due to concerns like national security leaks, but this  video used many 'artistic methods' to show daily operations on the carrier without revealing any secrets," Li said, adding it is also in accordance with the country's ongoing military reform.

The video's production values are high, almost akin to a movie trailer, with scenes depicting handsome sailors doing daily exercises against backdrops of blue skies and sunsets. Other footage shows views from the cockpits of the carrier's jets in flight. 

"The short film was directed like a Hollywood blockbuster and made many people realize that Chinese aircraft could be cool," a military fan surnamed Zhang told the Global Times.

Zhang said that such creative promotional films can also let the public know what the military is spending its high  budget on. 

In late January, a set of 13 training photos of the Liaoning were leaked on a well-known military forum, navy.81.cn, but no authority confirmed the provenance of the photos.

"Instead of being revealed anonymously, this voluntary display also reflects the growing confidence of Chinese military power," Li said.

The video: