Chinese Carrier aviation is far more advanaced than that, and Chinese experience in Carrier operation is well advanced.
Chinese shipyards have gained some exposure to carrier design with the acquisition of retired hulls such as the Australian HMAS Melbourne acquired in 1985. The carrier was not dismantled for many years. Australian Intell repoted that the entire flight deck was removed from the hull in the '90s, and used as a deck landing instructional aid until at least 2002. The Chinese reverse engineered the entire catapult system from the ex australian Carrier as well. The last vestages of Melbournes identifable structure were not scrapped until 2005
Since 1985, China has acquired four retired aircraft carriers for study, the Australian HMAS Melbourne and the ex-Soviet carriers Minsk, Kiev and Varyag. Reports state that two 50,000–60,000 ton Type 089 aircraft carriers based on the Varyag, are due to be finished by 2015. Sukhoi Su-33s (navalized Flankers) are the aircraft most likely to be flown from these carriers, but China has also developed its own multirole fighter, the Shenyang J-15.
Delivery of the Varyag was obstructed by the Turkish govt in 1999, when the turks refused to allow the hull to be towed through the Bosphorus. This was probably a mistake, as the Chinese then swarmed over the derelict hull to glean every bit of information they could, and spured them to lay down three carriers of their own. The Russian (and Australian) carriers were never acquired for the purposes of operational service. they were acquired for information only, and the Chinese have been very efficient at doing this. minsk and Kiev are now floating museums in China. they are no longer part of the Chines Carrier program
Varyag was eventually delivered, by which ime the Chinese had finalised their modernisation program for her. She was immediately put into reconstruction. The 67,500 ton ex-Soviet aircraft carrier , by than named Varyag (previously Admiral Kuznetsov class), was only 30% completed and floating in Ukraine, was purchased through a private Macau tourist venture in 1998. Following her troublesome tow to Dalian shipyard, the carrier has undergone a long refit. Varyag had been stripped of any military equipment as well as her propulsion systems prior to being put up for sale. In 2007 there were news reports that she was being fitted out to enter service. These proved to be true.
On 10 August 2011, it was announced that the refurbishment of Varyag was complete, and that it was undergoing sea trials.
On December 14, 2011, American Satellite imaging , indicated the retrofitted Varyag underway and apparently undertaking her sea trials. The American Intelligence report stated that their images captured the ship in the Yellow Sea where it operated for 5 days un work up trials.
In September 2012, it was announced that this carrier would be named Liaoning, after Liaoning Province of China. On 23 September 2012, Liaoning was handed over to the People's Liberation Army Navy, but is not yet in active service.
In November 2012, the first landing was successfully conducted on Liaoning with the new Shenyang J-15.
These developments have been viewed with a great deal of alarm across the region. Due to limited budgets, most carriers are multi role LPH (assault type ships) mostly with amphibious operations in mind. Ships that I know of include the two Australian BAE "Canberra" class LPHs (27000 tons). These ships are best described as helicotpe assault ships, and there are no plans to embark any fixed wing component permananetly on the ships. But then why are they being fitted with Harrrier jump jet style ski jumps......They have a capacity for up to 18 helos in the hangar, and the ability to accommodate up to 1400 personnel each, including and amphibious component of 1000 men each. Each ship has an internal wet dock for the LCs accessed from the big stern doors. they are co-designed by BAE in Australia along with the Spanish. Defence wont say, but I will lay money thet they are designed to accommodate the new F-35 Vstol versions .
The Thais also have a small ship they designate a carrier. The Royal Thai Navy also has two air wings, operating 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 helicopters from Utapao, Songkhla and Phuket. The First Royal Thai Navy wing has 4 squadrons and the Second Royal Thai Navy wing has 3 squadrons.
The United States Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct the annual joint operation Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines.
HTMS Chakri Naruebet (Thai meaning "In honour of the Chakri Dynasty") is the flagship of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), and Thailand's first and only aircraft carrier. Based on the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias design and constructed by Spanish shipbuilder Bazán, Chakri Naruebet was ordered in 1992, launched in 1996, and commissioned into the RTN in 1997.
The aircraft carrier is designed to operate an air group of V/STOL fighter aircraft and helicopters, and is fitted with a ski-jump. Initial intentions were to operate a mixed air group of Matador V/STOL aircraft and S-70B Seahawk helicopters. However, by 1999, only one Matador was operational, and the entire V/STOL fleet was removed from service in 2006. Although Chakri Naruebet was intended for patrols and force projection in Thai waters, a lack of funding brought on by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis means that the carrier has spent much of her career docked at the Sattahip naval base. The Thais have maintained her pretty well, despite this and she does remain an operational unit
The Thais learnt at their cost why Asian nations have to sometimes be very carful in acquisition of European equipment. . The carrier was designed to operate an air group of up to six AV-8S Matador V/STOL aircraft, plus four to six S-70B Seahawk helicopters. Chakri Naruebet is also capable of carrying up to fourteen additional helicopters (on deck) a mix of Sikorsky Sea King, Sikorsky S-76, and CH-47 Chinook, but there is only enough hangar space for ten aircraft.
The Matador is a first generation export version of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, acquired secondhand from the Spanish Navy in 1997.The nine Spanish aircraft (seven standard version plus two TAV-8S trainer aircraft) were refurbished by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA firm before delivery. By 1999, only one aircraft was operational, and the RTN was looking for other first-generation Harriers to cannibalize for spares.In 2003, the navy attempted to acquire several second-generation,ex-Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft from British Aerospace, but the deal did not go ahead. The inoperative Matadors were finally eliminated from service lists in 2006. Thailand was the last remaining government using first generation Harrier airframes.
The Koreans have 1 Dokdo class LPH, which are a8000 ton Amphibious assault ships. CAG of 10 helos, this ship has two LCs and a lift capacity for 700 marines. It has been designed to accommodate VSTOL, and the Koreans are considering purchase of the F-35B. One other ship in this class has been cancelled due to the economic downturn.