Friday, Nov 7 | Beijing: China has officially commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a major milestone in the country’s naval modernization program.
According to state media reports, the commissioning ceremony took place on Wednesday at a military port in Sanya, Hainan island, and was attended by President Xi Jinping. The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, represents a significant technological leap, as it is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) — a feature that enables more frequent and faster aircraft takeoffs from shorter distances, while carrying heavier payloads.
This makes the Fujian one of only two carriers in the world to feature the EMALS technology, the other being the USS Gerald R. Ford of the United States Navy, commissioned in 2022.
The induction of Fujian underscores China’s growing maritime capabilities and strategic focus on advancing its blue-water navy presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
