In 1997
Xu Zengping learned that China had discussed purchasing the "Varyag" aircraft carrier, but finally gave up for some reason. He believes that it is understandable that China does not buy this aircraft carrier, but it must not be allowed to fall into the hands of other countries, especially countries that are hostile to China.
Currently, the national power is limited, and the country is concentrating on economic construction, and military expenditures are also very tight. Therefore, it is not cost-effective for the country to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to buy the "Varyag" at once. It is better to create a law The group invested US$80 million to buy back "Varyag" with an actual value of more than US$100 million and transformed it into a maritime tourism facility. "Once the country needs it, Chuang Lu and I will not hesitate to dedicate this aircraft carrier to the country to serve the country." At that time, the country would have a ready-made carrier hull, which would invisibly make basic preparations for the Chinese Navy to equip the aircraft carrier. , gained time and technology.
In 1998
Xu Zengping and his assistants went to Ukraine for negotiations several times, and finally settled for US$20 million (plus a total of US$100 million in penalties, interest, and litigation) Bought "Varyag" for US$). Due to the intervention of the United States, the Turkish government did not allow the "Varyag" to pass through the Bosporus Strait in 1999. (While the Varyag was trapped in the Black Sea, Chuanglu Company paid ITC US$8,500 per day. The tugboat crew of ITC had to pay US$17,000 in berthing fees to the Ukrainian port authorities for a long time. President Xu Zengping suffered heavy losses as a result.) Until August 2000, the Turkish government In order to gain foreign exchange, China was asked to open up tourism to Turkey, and the "Varyag" was only allowed to pass through the strait in August of that year.
Now, Xu Zengping's dream has come true, and in April 2005, the "Varyag" was launched. "Entered the Dalian Shipyard, which was taken over by the government and implemented.
In 1999
Shandong young entrepreneur Lu Enguang brought a check for 10 million yuan and a warm letter He wrote an overflowing letter from Shandong, thousands of miles away, to Beijing to express his concern for national defense to the relevant departments. He hoped to take the lead in donating 10 million yuan with practical actions, and called on people of insight to jointly care about national defense construction and contribute to the national defense construction. The idea of ??the country donating an aircraft carrier.
On May 8 of the same year, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa was bombed. The posters of Peking University and Tsinghua University posted the headline "We Should Have" in the 11th issue of "China Shipping News". The article "Aircraft Carrier" also contains a "Letter of Initiative" calling on the country to build aircraft carriers as soon as possible, develop cutting-edge weapons, and call on everyone to donate to building a strong national defense. "Shangdu Information Port" A retired female soldier named Li is nicknamed "Soldier Girl". In the name of calling on Chinese people all over the world to unite and donate to build an aircraft carrier and improve our country's national defense capabilities, 19 members of the editorial board of "Henan Youth Daily" donated 2,000 yuan, including in Shanghai, Hangzhou and other places. Donation activity to support the construction of aircraft carriers. A company in Chengdu and the Photography Association of Sichuan University jointly launched a charity sale called "Build our aircraft carrier, strengthen our national defense".
August 10, 2011< /p>
The refit of the Varyag aircraft carrier was initially completed and sea trials began.
September 23, 2012
On the afternoon of September 23, 2012. At around 16:00, China's first aircraft carrier platform Ship No. 16 held a flag-raising ceremony in Dalian. Ship No. 16 and the adjacent ship No. 88 were all hoisted with flags. At 16:40, the five-star red flag was hoisted on the bridge mast of the No. 16 ship. , the August 1st military flag was raised on the bow and the naval flag was raised on the stern.
September 25, 2012
On the morning of September 25, China’s first ship. The aircraft carrier "Liaoning" was officially transferred into service.