Scientist who pioneered China’s aircraft carrier technology dies

The scientist who has pioneered China's aircraft carrier technology died of a heart attack at the weekend as he watched the country's first successful landing at sea.

Luo Yuan, who was 51, was chairman and president of Shenyang Aircraft and in charge of China's fighter-jet programme. He was on board China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, to watch a series of successful test landings.

News of his death was the headline story on State Television on Monday, a demonstration both of the importance of the aircraft carrier programme and the significance of his loss.

The successful landing was revealed on Sunday morning with the release of footage by state media.

The video showed a Chinese made J-15 jet, designed my Mr Luo, touching down on the Liaoning sometime over the past week.

The development is seen as a further attempt by Beijing to project its military might beyond its borders.