China’s New Monster Aircraft Carrier Starts Service as Tensions Rise
President Xi Jinping has officially commissioned China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, equipped with state-of-the-art electromagnetic catapults enabling faster and more efficient aircraft launches.
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the commissioning ceremony took place on the southern island of Hainan earlier this week, marking another milestone in the modernization of the country’s naval forces.
The Fujian’s entry into service signals Beijing’s growing capacity to project maritime power across the Indo-Pacific, a development that is heightening concerns among the United States and its regional allies.
China’s largest and most sophisticated warship has officially joined its active fleet, enhancing its ability to operate far from home waters.
Background
- The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier and its first with electromagnetic launch technology.
- The vessel represents a major step forward in China’s efforts to close the gap with U.S. naval capabilities.
- Its commissioning occurred amid increasing geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
Official Source
Xinhua reported that President Xi personally oversaw the ceremony, underscoring the carrier’s strategic importance for China’s military modernization goals.
Author’s Summary: Fujian’s launch strengthens China’s maritime reach, underscoring its ambitions and heightening regional unease among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.