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By Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
In a major move signaling its growing military power, China has officially launched its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, just days after a grand commissioning ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping. The vessel is seen as a significant step in China’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military and close the gap with the United States in the naval arms race.
The Fujian represents a leap forward in naval technology, featuring advanced electromagnetic catapults that allow aircraft to launch at higher speeds compared to traditional steam-powered catapults. This cutting-edge technology, which has only been used by the U.S. Navy until now, gives China a strategic advantage, enabling it to launch heavier, more fuel-loaded aircraft with greater precision and efficiency.
The Fujian is capable of launching three different types of aircraft, all equipped to carry heavier weaponry and extended fuel loads. This makes the ship more capable than China’s previous carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, which were both built with the assistance of Russia. The Fujian is expected to significantly enhance China’s ability to project power across greater distances, bolstering its capabilities in regional and global military affairs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended on 5 November 2025 the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, in south China's Hainan Province.https://t.co/kr57DCQmp7pic.twitter.com/Yr8FuZYqQ9
— Chinesisches Generalkonsulat in München (@ChinaCG_Muc) November 7, 2025
The commissioning of the Fujian marks a milestone in China’s naval expansion under Xi Jinping’s leadership. With this new aircraft carrier, China now boasts the world’s largest navy in terms of the sheer number of ships. The Fujian is the third domestically built carrier in China’s fleet, and its launch reinforces the country’s ambition to establish a military presence that rivals the United States in both size and technological prowess.
Xi Jinping has placed significant emphasis on modernizing China’s military, with a particular focus on naval power. The Fujian is a testament to China’s rapid advancements in military technology, and it is seen as a direct challenge to U.S. dominance at sea. The U.S. Navy is the only other global force to possess an aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapult systems.
During the commissioning ceremony, held in southern Hainan province, President Xi personally toured the Fujian’s deck and listened to reports on its performance capabilities at sea. State media highlighted Xi’s role in personally selecting electromagnetic catapult technology for the ship, underscoring his influence in shaping China’s military direction.
Xi also spoke with sailors who were lined up along the flight deck and dock, offering a patriotic message to rally the troops: “Follow the party’s command, fight to win, and uphold fine conduct!” This statement reflected the central role of China’s Communist Party in the country’s military operations and ideological unity.
Fujian’s entry into service further intensifies the growing naval competition between China and the United States, which has long maintained superiority in aircraft carrier capabilities. The U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers, equipped with similar electromagnetic catapults, are among the most advanced warships in the world. However, Fujian‘s introduction into service signals that China is narrowing the gap and might even surpass the U.S. in the future, especially in terms of carrier numbers and technological advancements.
China’s rapid military buildup and modernization efforts are also a response to the increasing geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in areas such as the South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with neighboring countries and the United States. The Fujian enhances China’s ability to assert its dominance in these critical waters.
The Fujian is a symbol of China’s ambition to assert itself as a global military power, and its commissioning is seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. As China continues to expand its naval fleet, including the potential development of more advanced aircraft carriers and other warships, the global balance of power at sea will likely be tested.
In addition to its naval advancements, China is focusing on other aspects of military modernization, including advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, and artificial intelligence-driven technologies. As the Fujian enters service, the world watches closely to see how China will utilize its growing naval strength in the coming years.
The launch of the Fujian is a powerful statement by China about its military ambitions and its ability to challenge the U.S. in naval warfare. With the addition of its electromagnetic catapult system and the increased capabilities of its aircraft carrier fleet, China is positioning itself as a formidable force on the global stage. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, Fujian is likely to play a key role in China’s strategic military plans, further solidifying its status as a major player in the naval arms race.