It's officially the Liaoning

And now it's official. China's Ministry of National Defence, in a statement (in Chinese) that is short and sweet, announces that it's first aircraft carrier is named Liaoning has been handed over to the Chinese Navy.

Now let the breathless speculation and scare-mongering begin. But if there is only one article about the Liaoning you would want to read about today, let it be this excellent piece by Dr. Andrew S. Erickson from the Strategic Research Department at the U.S. Naval War College and Gabe Collins.