Beijing, Muharram 26, 1438, October 27, 2016, SPA -- China has begun assembling its first domestic-built aircraft carrier, the country's Ministry of Defense said Thursday, the latest step in an ongoing drive to modernize its armed forces, according to dpa. The country's second aircraft carrier is in its development stage with the hull having already been completed, ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press briefing. Overall design work on the vessel has finished and workers are installing equipment to the ship's body in a shipyard, Wu said. China has been investing heavily in its armed forces for two decades with the aim of being capable of winning short, regional conflicts. --SPA 15:59 LOCAL TIME 12:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w