China suspends work on aircraft carrier, fighter jets amid coronavirus outbreak

Chinese armament firms, including those building aircraft carrier and military aircraft, have halted work in order to focus on controlling risk of rapidly spreing coronavirus that has killed 361 people in country, official media in Beijing reported on Monday.

dely virus, which so far infected 17,341 people in China, has spre to 25 countries, including India, US, UK and Russia.

"Chinese armaments companies have postponed planned work in order to concentrate on controlling risk of spreing vel coronavirus, including those building country's new aircraft carrier and fighter jets," state-run Global Times said in a brief report.

China launched its first aircraft carrier in 2014 which is a refitted vessel of hull of a former Soviet ship. country recently operationalised its second aircraft carrier even as it built third one.

Official media reports say China plans to acquire about five to six aircraft carriers in coming years. Also, China is developing a host of new fighter jets, including stealth bombers.

suspension of work is part of rical measures being taken by ruling Communist Party of China to combat fast-spreing virus.