New transactions in the busy financial leasing sector — as elsewhere in China — have slowed in the run-up to Chinese New Year.

But, recently, regulatory filings have brought to light what must be one of the industry’s most unusual financings: the sale and leaseback of a Soviet aircraft carrier.

The deal is not a fresh one but China Merchants Bank (CMB)’s financial filings have revealed the purchase of the 41,370-loaded displacement tonne Kiev (built 1975, decomissioned 1993) by CMB Financial Leasing in co-operation with Taiwanese finance house Chailease in a CNY 230m ($33.4m),