China Commissions Third Aircraft Carrier, the Fujian, Increasing Naval Power

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, at a naval base on Hainan Island today, significantly expanding its naval capabilities in the region.

The state news agency Xinhua reported the commissioning ceremony was held on Wednesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping in attendance. The Fujian represents a major technological leap for China, as it is the first aircraft carrier fully designed and built independently, moving beyond reliance on Soviet blueprints used for its first two carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong. The new carrier is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), previously exclusive to U.S. Navy Ford-class carriers, allowing for increased flight operations and heavier payloads.

International reactions have been measured, with Japan expressing vigilance. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Tokyo would observe China’s military activity and respond “calmly but decisively” if necessary. The Fujian’s operational range and capabilities raise concerns about China’s growing ability to project power in the South China Sea and potentially challenge U.S. influence in the Pacific, a region where tensions have been rising. For more on the geopolitical implications of China’s naval expansion, see the Council on Foreign Relations’ China page.

Military experts note the importance of this development for China’s long-term strategic goals. Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping told the AP news agency, “China’s carriers cannot just operate near home, they must operate in the distant oceans and far seas to carry out various training and support missions.” China currently has the world’s largest navy in terms of number of ships, exceeding 700 warships and submarines, though the U.S. still maintains a lead in aircraft carrier numbers with 11 vessels. Further expansion is planned, with a fourth carrier already under construction and potentially featuring nuclear propulsion. You can find more details about China’s naval modernization efforts in the Department of Defense’s China Military Power Report.

Chinese officials have indicated that the Fujian will be used for training and missions, and have already conducted trials through the Taiwan Strait. The PLAN expects to have six aircraft carriers operational by 2030.