November 7, 2025
China has formally commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, in a ceremony attended by senior military and political officials at a naval base in Hainan province. The addition of the Fujian marks a major milestone in China’s ongoing naval modernization and positions the People’s Liberation Army Navy as an increasingly capable maritime power in competition with the United States.
The Fujian is the third aircraft carrier to enter service with the Chinese navy, following the Liaoning and Shandong. It is the first carrier to be fully designed and built domestically, representing a leap forward in China’s ability to produce complex military hardware. Unlike its predecessors, the Fujian is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, allowing for faster and more efficient aircraft takeoffs similar to those used on U.S. carriers. This advancement enables it to launch heavier and more advanced aircraft, including the stealthy J-35 fighters and the KJ-600 early warning planes, significantly expanding its operational range and combat capabilities.
While the Fujian is a major technological step forward, it is conventionally powered and therefore lacks the unlimited endurance of U.S. nuclear-powered carriers. Nevertheless, analysts view its commissioning as a symbol of China’s growing ambitions at sea and its determination to close the gap with the United States Navy. The new carrier gives China the ability to sustain longer deployments, conduct large-scale exercises farther from its shores, and project power deep into the Indo-Pacific.
The launch comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington over control of strategic waterways, particularly the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. U.S. officials have closely monitored China’s expanding carrier program, noting that the Fujian marks the start of a new phase in which China’s naval presence will extend far beyond its coastal defense zones. Some military experts believe the ship’s entry into active service signals Beijing’s commitment to building a world-class navy by 2035, capable of rivaling American naval supremacy.
Despite its impressive design, China’s carrier program still faces significant challenges. The Fujian’s air operations are expected to run at lower sortie rates than U.S. carriers due to less operational experience and evolving deck management systems. China also continues to develop the logistics, command structures, and overseas support networks needed to sustain global carrier operations.
For the United States, the Fujian’s arrival represents both a challenge and a call for vigilance. It highlights the increasingly competitive nature of naval strategy in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations are expanding their presence and influence. For other countries, including those in Africa, the development reflects a broader shift in global maritime power dynamics. China’s growing blue-water capabilities could influence sea lane security, trade routes, and regional alliances as Beijing continues to expand its global reach.
