China's first aircraft carrier will go on sea trials next week, amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, China's top military official reportedly confirmed that Beijing is building a huge aircraft carrier. Yesterday, the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, which broke the story of the vessel's confirmation, quoted unnamed military sources saying the carrier will go on sea trials on July 1 but will not be officially launched until October. The sources said the test has been expedited in view of rising tensions in the South China Sea in recent weeks. The sources added that the sea trial date was also picked to mark the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, but noted that factors such as weather could affect the planned test run. Tensions between Beijing and other rival claimants to the strategically vital South China Sea have heightened recently.