Overview
- The People’s Liberation Army Navy formally brought Fujian into service during a ceremony on Hainan attended by Xi Jinping, with state media hailing the milestone.
- Fujian is China’s first carrier with electromagnetic catapults, a capability previously fielded only on the U.S. USS Gerald R. Ford.
- The ship uses conventional propulsion, whereas China’s first two carriers rely on ski-jump ramps that restrict aircraft payload and range.
- Defense experts cited in coverage say several years of testing, training and exercises are likely before Fujian achieves full operational capability.
- Satellite tracking and reporting indicate a fourth Chinese carrier hull, known as Type 004, is under construction in Dalian and is expected to trial nuclear propulsion in the longer term.