(Image source: Xinhua)   BY ELIZABETH HAGEDORN ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS   China has successfully landed a fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier, as confirmed by China’s official Xinhua state news agency.   The introduction of the vessel, an old refurbished Soviet ship, makes China the last of the major military superpowers to gain one. Entered into service two months ago, the aircraft carrier isn’t expected to be ready to handle a full fleet of planes anytime soon.   There are also reports that China has been building multiple aircraft carriers as part of its effort expand the country’s military capabilities.   And this latest display of military prowess may be as much symbolic as it is a practical necessity. Growing tensions with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea have had led both countries and their allies to up their military spending and expand exercises in the Asia-Pacific region.   According to Al Jazeera, a top official for China’s Naval Affairs Research Institute told the state-run TV agency on Sunday,   "The successful landing... has always been seen as a symbol of the operating combat capability for an aircraft carrier.”   Although the aircraft carrier landing marks a huge leap for China’s military, it’s more of a small step relative to the United States’ naval resources. The U.S. has 11 active aircraft carriers — more than the rest of the world combined.