China-built amphibious aircraft takes maiden ground test - Xinhua

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's domestically developed AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, took its maiden ground test on Saturday in the southern city of Zhuhai, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The AG600 was designed to extinguish forest fires and carry out rescue missions at sea, Xinhua said, adding that it could also "be used to monitor and protect the ocean." The seaplane's first ground test comes amid China's increasing assertiveness to its territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea where it is building airfields and deploying military equipment, rattling nerves in the Asia-Pacific region and the United States. China is in the midst of a massive military modernisation programme, ranging from testing anti-satellite missiles to building stealth fighters and the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier, to add to an existing one bought from Ukraine. Xinhua reported in March that the AG600 was due to make its maiden flight in late May. (Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Editing by Ros Russell)