China Commissions the Fujian: A Leap in Naval Power

China's latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has officially entered service, marking a significant advancement in the country's naval capabilities. The commissioning ceremony took place on November 7, 2025, at a military port in Sanya, Hainan, attended by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Fujian is China's third aircraft carrier and the first designed and built domestically. It features an electromagnetic catapult system, similar to that of the U.S. Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford, allowing for the launch of heavier aircraft with increased payloads.

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The Fujian's electromagnetic catapult system enables it to launch aircraft more efficiently than previous Chinese carriers, which utilized ski-jump ramps. This advancement is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) by allowing for quicker and more effective deployment of aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter and KJ-600 early warning aircraft. The carrier displaces 80,000 tons, positioning it as a formidable asset in the region, although it remains conventionally powered, limiting its operational range compared to the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered carriers.

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The commissioning of the Fujian comes amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Analysts suggest that the carrier could play a role in asserting China's influence in the region, potentially facilitating a blockade or military action against Taiwan. The Fujian's deployment is part of a broader strategy by China to expand its naval presence beyond its coastal waters, contesting control in the South China Sea and aiming to project power as far as Guam.

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Despite the advancements represented by the Fujian, experts caution that China still faces significant challenges in becoming a fully operational carrier power. The carrier's air operations may only reach about 60% efficiency compared to older U.S. carriers due to design limitations. Additionally, the PLAN must overcome technological and personnel hurdles to effectively utilize the Fujian in extended operations. Concerns have also been raised regarding the reliability of the electromagnetic catapult system, which has faced scrutiny in the U.S.

CityLab

Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the Fujian in China's military modernization efforts, aiming for a "world-class" military by 2050. The carrier's commissioning has been celebrated domestically, with significant attention on social media platforms. However, the absence of key military officials during the ceremony has raised questions about internal challenges within the PLA, particularly following recent corruption scandals involving senior officers.

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China is reportedly already in the process of constructing a fourth aircraft carrier, which is expected to incorporate both electromagnetic launch technology and nuclear propulsion. This ongoing expansion reflects China's commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities and asserting its position as a major global power.

CityLab

• “As the first PLA supercarrier with catapults, the Fujian will set operational norms for future carriers, providing the PLAN experience with catapults as well as with fifth generation carrier-based fighters,” — Tianran Xu, Senior Analyst, Open Nuclear Network

CityLab

• “Carriers are key to Chinese leadership’s vision of China as a great power with a blue-water navy,” — Greg Poling, Director, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Associated Press

• “These aircraft carriers are, of course, not aimed solely against Taiwan,” — Jiang Hsin-biao, Researcher, Institute for National Defense and Security Research

New York Times

The commissioning of the Fujian represents a pivotal moment in China's naval evolution, underscoring its ambitions to enhance military capabilities and assert dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Associated Press