China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has been handed over to the People's Liberation Army's navy. And its first captain has taken command. The ceremony was held in the northeastern port of Dalian. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, along with other government and military leaders, have inspected the ship. The crew of the first aircraft carrier have been strictly selected, and are described by experts as being the cream of the crop.

Fang Bing, Assoc. Professor of National Defense Univ. Chinese PLA, said, "When selecting a captain for an aircraft carrier, it is common practice in many countries that he must have worked in many departments and in various positions. So the overall qualifications for an aircraft carrier captain are very high."

Captain Zhang Zheng is a senior colonel of the navy. He has risen up the ranks from the base levels and possesses rich experience in warship operation. The carrier will also be operated by a well-educated and trained crew, as more than 98 percent of the commissioned officers on board hold bachelor degrees, and more than 50 of them hold master of doctoral degrees. Most of the carrier's officers were selected and transferred from the Navy's other surface vessels through tough competition. Female sailors also serve at various posts on the Liaoning.