China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, transited the Taiwan Strait for the first time this week as part of a series of pre-commissioning tests in the South China Sea. The move marks a milestone in the carrier’s development and a symbolic demonstration of Beijing’s growing naval ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
The Fujian was launched on June 17, 2022, and embarked on its maiden sea trials on May 1, 2024. Having completed several rounds of tests, the vessel is now entering its final evaluation stage before being officially commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It was escorted through the strait by two guided-missile destroyers, the CNS Hangzhou and CNS Jinan, underscoring its importance to China’s maritime strategy.
Once commissioned, the Fujian will become China’s third aircraft carrier, joining the Liaoning (commissioned in 2012) and the Shandong (2019). Unlike its predecessors, the Fujian is equipped with electromagnetic catapults, a cutting-edge launch system comparable to those used on the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. This system allows for faster sortie rates and the deployment of a wider array of aircraft, including heavier fighter jets such as the J-15 and potentially the next-generation J-35 stealth fighter.
The carrier represents a leap in China’s naval capabilities and reflects its ambition to rival the U.S. Navy’s long-standing dominance. While the U.S. still fields 11 carriers compared to China’s soon-to-be three, American carriers are globally deployed, meaning only about half are available for Indo-Pacific operations at any one time. In contrast, China’s carriers are stationed close to home, maximizing their availability in regional contingencies.
Beijing’s naval buildup extends beyond carriers. The PLAN already surpasses the U.S. Navy in total ship numbers, with 370 vessels compared to Washington’s 296. Projections suggest China’s fleet will exceed 400 ships by 2026, while U.S. numbers are expected to shrink below 300 by the end of the decade. A fourth Chinese carrier, widely believed to be nuclear-powered, is under construction at Jiangnan Shipyard and could enter service within the next two to three years.