The aircraft carrier was inspected by Chinese President Xi Jinping in one of the naval ports of Sanya.
Fujian was launched in June 2022 and named after the Chinese province of the same name.
As CNA pointed out, China still lags behind the United States in naval competition, but Beijing has poured billions of dollars into its military in recent years, particularly by significantly expanding its navy.
Fujian has more advanced take-off systems and is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, analysts say. Prior to this, the only aircraft carrier equipped with such technology was the US Navy's USS Gerald R Ford.
China's latest J-35 stealth fighter and J-15T heavy fighter were also launched from the Fujian aircraft carrier.
Unlike China's first two aircraft carriers – Liaoning and Shandong – Fujian is capable of carrying surveillance aircraft, meaning it will not operate blindly while out of range of ground support.
Context
Fujian is Asia's largest warship, equipped with three electromagnetic launchers and designed to carry stealth carrier-based fighters, catapult-launched multi-role carrier-based fighters, early warning aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft and anti-submarine warfare helicopters – all of which the military calls the “five-piece carrier strike package.” As noted by the South China Morning Post, the introduction of Fujian could change the strategic balance in the region.
The length of the Fujian is about 316 meters, the displacement is up to 85 thousand tons, the payload of the aircraft carrier is more than 60 aircraft and helicopters.
On October 26, CNN reported that the newest Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian turned out to be weaker than the old American ones.
