China's Defense Ministry on Friday dismissed United States media reports that China is building a large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier comparable in size to US carriers, calling the claims "purely speculative".

Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang addressed the reports in an online statement, saying China considers aircraft carrier construction based on national security needs and technological development.

"It is important to clarify that we always consider aircraft carrier construction comprehensively based on national security needs and the development situation of equipment technology," Zhang said.