The study examines China's employment of strategic deception in the acquisition and development of its first aircraft carrier -the Liaoning in 2012. By examining China's national goals, strategy and propensity to employ deception, this study aims to: 1. Explain how China's national goals and strategy drove it to develop an aircraft carrier. 2. Explain the aircraft carrier's role in China's maritime strategy. 3. Explain how China employed deception in the acquisition and development of the aircraft carrier. 4. Assess the implications of China's use of strategic deception in developing its first aircraft carrier. 5. Assess the future role of China's first aircraft carrier.