Overview
- Chinese navy spokesperson Captain Leng Guowei said the Fujian recently crossed the Taiwan Strait en route to the South China Sea for scientific tests and training, describing the activity as routine and not aimed at any party.
- Japan's Ministry of Defense reported detecting the carrier with two destroyers about 200 kilometers northwest of the Senkaku Islands, moving to the southwest.
- Taiwanese authorities said they monitored the movements to fully assess the situation and responded accordingly.
- The Fujian is the largest ship China has built and is expected to field advanced launch systems that enable heavier, longer-range aircraft, according to CSIS analysts.
- Beijing has not disclosed a commissioning date, with some experts suggesting entry into service could be approaching while others say the latest activity may still be part of extended trials.