That is exactly what I was thinking. We don’t need to sink it. The Chicoms will do it all by themselves!
If you look at any major under takings by countries or companies, and they have done those under takings successfully, you will typically see a string of failures that preceeded the success.
China will be no different. In the near future, with this first carrier, we will likely see a pilot crash on the deck, killing himself and damaging the carrier. Or the carrier may experience mechanical failure out at sea.
But whatever the failure, it is better for them to get going, build a carrier group and train personnel, than to let a few snickering Westerners sideline them ;)
With that said, who is in a better position, the British who have a wealth of naval experience, but making budget cuts to halve their navy, or the Chinese who lack the experience, but will have a growing budget to gain naval experience.