"Related government agencies are looking into this matter," said Zhang Guangqin, vice minister of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, according to the China Daily.

"China has a vast maritime territory. Protecting maritime security, sovereignty and rights is the sacred mission of our navy," he was quoted as saying.

"Arming our navy with advanced vessels and equipment is an important mission for the country's shipyards," he said.

At the same time, however, Zhang denied reports that China had already started building an aircraft carrier in Shanghai.

"As a leader in charge of the shipbuilding sector, I know nothing about it," he said.

Aircraft carriers are hugely expensive but considered essential for any country aspiring to great power status. The US Navy has 12.

They can be used for power projection anywhere on the globe, giving governments long-range strike capability that they could otherwise not dream of.

Aircraft carriers are based on technology that can be traced back to World War I and played an essential role in deciding the outcome of World War II.

The war in the Pacific, which ended 60 years ago, was largely fought and won by aircraft carrier battle groups.