China unveils Fujian, signalling new phase in its race to rival US naval dominance

China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has officially entered service following a commissioning ceremony led by President Xi Jinping in Hainan province.

The event marks a defining moment in China’s pursuit of naval modernisation and its long-term goal to rival US maritime power.

With electromagnetic catapult technology and a flat flight deck, the Fujian represents a significant leap in China’s shipbuilding capabilities and global military influence.

Fujian marks China’s entry into advanced carrier technology

The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier but the first to be designed and built entirely by domestic engineers.

The 80,000-tonne vessel is equipped with electromagnetic catapults capable of launching aircraft at higher speeds, allowing heavier payloads and extended range.

This feature places China among a select group of nations with such advanced systems, previously limited to the United States.

Fujian can launch three types of aircraft using its catapult and deck design, including new-generation stealth fighters and early-warning planes.

The electromagnetic system allows more efficient and simultaneous flight operations.

Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which used ski-jump ramps based on Soviet designs, the Fujian operates with modernised systems enabling faster launches, higher efficiency, and longer operational reach.

A strategic statement from Xi Jinping

Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China’s navy has expanded at an unprecedented pace, becoming the world’s largest by vessel count.

The Fujian’s commissioning reflects the culmination of years of investment aimed at narrowing the technological and operational gap with Western navies.

Xi’s presence at the ceremony highlighted the strategic and political significance of the ship, which embodies China’s growing defence self-reliance.

Xi personally approved the adoption of electromagnetic catapult systems, reinforcing his objective of completing China’s military modernisation by 2035.

The Fujian’s successful completion and entry into service demonstrate the nation’s capacity to design, engineer, and deploy sophisticated military vessels without external support.

Implications for the Indo-Pacific balance of power

The Fujian’s commissioning is expected to shift regional power dynamics, especially in the Indo-Pacific.

Its capabilities allow for long-range carrier-based operations and joint missions across the South China Sea, the western Pacific, and beyond.

The ship enhances China’s ability to conduct sustained air and sea operations, giving it greater flexibility in contested maritime zones.

The United States remains the only other country with aircraft carriers using electromagnetic launch technology.

This positions the Fujian as a clear indication of China’s progress in matching advanced Western naval engineering.

Experts note that the ship’s entry into service may accelerate regional military development, intensifying competition between major powers in Asia.

The commissioning event was highly choreographed, showcasing the scale of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s achievements and the leadership’s emphasis on unity and discipline.

The ceremony included an inspection of the ship and its crew by Xi Jinping, underlining the integration of political authority and military capability.

The Fujian’s launch follows years of sea trials testing its propulsion, launch, and control systems.

Its entry into active service signifies not only technological advancement but also strategic intent.