MailOnline: China launches its first ever self-built aircraft carrier

China has launched its first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier as America's USS Vinson continues to steam towards the Korean Peninsula

Reports of the launch said a bottle of champagne was broken across the ship's bow and other craft in the port sounded their horns in celebration

Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson (pictured on Sunday) to the peninsula in a show of force, amid signs the North could be preparing for a sixth nuclear test

The US has enraged China by delivering a missile defence system to a deployment site in South Korea. US military vehicles are pictured moving through South Korea today amid protests from those who oppose plans to install the missile system

In Pyongyang's latest provocation, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un oversaw the country's largest-ever live-firing drill (pictured) to mark the founding anniversary of its military

North Korea staged a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea

Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in the photos. They show rows of heavy artillery and troops carrying out exercise

South Korea and US soldiers watch from an observation post during a joint live firing drill at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, northeast of Seoul





















