Overview
- The People’s Liberation Army Navy placed the ship in service at a ceremony on Hainan attended by Xi Jinping, according to state media.
- Fujian is the first Chinese carrier with electromagnetic catapults, allowing launches of heavier aircraft with greater range than China’s earlier ramp-equipped carriers.
- The ship is conventionally powered and is described as the largest and most advanced in China’s fleet, following Liaoning and Shandong.
- The only other carrier with EMALS is the US Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, underscoring a notable technological step for China.
- Experts quoted by AFP say China still lags the United States in operational experience and foresee the Fujian focusing on trials, training and exercises, with September footage showing takeoffs and landings including the J-35 and separate reports noting unconfirmed talk of a fourth carrier.