China Commissions Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier Fujian
On Wednesday, China took a significant step by commissioning its latest aircraft carrier, Fujian. This event represents a key moment in the country’s efforts to strengthen the People’s Liberation Army Navy, pushing its capabilities beyond the Asian continent.
Fujian is notable as China’s third aircraft carrier and the first one developed entirely in the country, designed to rival the U.S. Navy’s fleet of 11 carriers. This move aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader initiative to modernize military forces by 2035, particularly in countering U.S. influence across the Indo-Pacific.
State media in China have indicated that Fujian will undergo continued sea trials and flight tests until it is ready for combat. However, the commissioning itself reflects a growing assurance within Beijing concerning the operation of larger, more advanced warships. The vessel, weighing in at 80,000 tons, features electromagnetic catapults that can launch heavier aircraft, including the advanced J-35 stealth fighter. It also possesses greater range and attack capabilities compared to its predecessors, Liaoning and Shandong.
Defense analysts interpret the commissioning of Fujian as a step toward establishing a genuine blue-water navy, capable of extending operations beyond China’s immediate coastal waters. This enhances China’s potential to project military power throughout the Indo-Pacific, and possibly into areas traditionally controlled by U.S. carriers. Nonetheless, experts caution that China remains years away from matching the extensive global reach and experience of the U.S. Navy, especially since Fujian is conventionally powered and lacks the durability of its nuclear-powered counterparts.
The Fujian’s launch has reignited conversations around the use of electromagnetic catapults. This technology has drawn criticism from figures like former President Donald Trump, who labeled it as unreliable. During a visit to the USS George Washington, Trump indicated plans to direct the U.S. Navy to avoid modern electromagnetic systems in favor of traditional steam-powered catapults, arguing that the latter are simpler to repair and equally effective.
As news of Fujian’s commissioning filtered through, it sparked concerns in Japan, which has been bolstering its defense initiatives in light of China’s military expansion. Minoru Kihara, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, expressed worries about the rapid buildup of Chinese military capabilities, emphasizing a lack of transparency from Beijing.
Kihara remarked that it appears China aims to project its naval and aerial operations further from its shores. He assured reporters that Japan would react “calmly and decisively” to any potential threats. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to have a carrier strike group in the Western Pacific and conducts operations to uphold freedom of navigation in contested areas.
One senior Army Department official highlighted that China’s military expansion signals its desire to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite these tensions, talks last week between U.S. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Chinese counterpart suggested a desire to establish communication channels to prevent misunderstandings, with plans for future meetings already in the works.
