China has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in a high-profile ceremony held in the southern province of Hainan, state media reported on Friday. The event, attended by President Xi Jinping, represents another major milestone in China’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance naval strength.
The addition of Fujian strengthens China’s fleet as it seeks to project greater maritime power in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly amid tensions with the United States, Taiwan, and neighboring countries over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
—theFollowing successful sea trials, the Fujian joins China’s two other active carriers—the Liaoning (commissioned in 2012) and Shandong (commissioned in 2019). Analysts highlight that the new carrier stands out for its electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) — the same advanced launch technology used by the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford.
According to reports, Xi Jinping personally approved the use of EMALS, which allows aircraft to take off with heavier payloads and more fuel, increasing the carrier’s combat effectiveness. During the ceremony, Xi toured the Fujian, inspected its command tower, and signed the ship’s logbook.
Over 2,000 navy personnel and shipbuilders attended the event, described by state media as “grand and enthusiastic.” The Fujian had already drawn attention earlier this year when it sailed through the Taiwan Strait and conducted training missions in the South China Sea, signaling China’s growing naval confidence.
In September, China released footage showing J-35 stealth fighters taking off and landing on the Fujian’s deck, which state outlets hailed as a “new breakthrough” for the Chinese navy and a “significant step” in building a world-class maritime force.
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