China officially inducted its most technologically advanced warship, the Fujian aircraft carrier, into active service at a ceremony held on November 7, 2025, in Sanya, Hainan. President Xi Jinping presided over the formal commissioning, signaling a significant milestone in China’s naval modernization efforts and its projection of power on the global stage.
The landmark event, which commenced around 4:30 p.m. local time, confirmed the operational readiness of the vessel, designated as the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) third aircraft carrier. Notably, the Fujian is the first domestically designed and constructed Chinese carrier featuring an advanced electromagnetic catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery (EMCAT/Arrested Recovery) system, capabilities previously monopolized by a select few navies worldwide.
Xi Highlights Strategic Importance
During the ceremony, President Xi Jinping, who also holds the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), presented the August 1st military flag to the carrier’s leadership, including the captain and political commissar.
Following the formal commissioning, President Xi embarked on an extensive inspection of the vessel, hull number 18. Officials provided detailed briefings on the nation’s ongoing carrier development programs, the evolution of sophisticated carrier strike group capabilities, and the practical implementation and operational strategies for the newly installed electromagnetic launch system (EMALS) technology.
The deck tour offered a visual demonstration of the carrier’s cutting-edge features. Prominently displayed were three catapult launch positions paired with four arresting cables, integral components of the advanced launch and recovery system. Lined along the flight deck were next-generation carrier-borne aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, the updated J-15T, and the KJ-600 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, underscoring the vessel’s expanded operational envelope.
Inside the Advanced Carrier System
During the inspection, the president received detailed explanations regarding the deck’s functional layout and observed demonstrations simulating the catapult launch procedures. He then ascended to the island superstructure, reviewing the flight control tower’s command capabilities and surveillance of simulated take-off and landing operations.
The inspection culminated at the bridge, where President Xi reviewed duty stations and signed the ship’s log before departing.
The Fujian was first launched and named in June 2022. Its indigenously developed EMALS technology is critical, as it allows the carrier to launch heavier aircraft with greater frequency and efficiency compared to the older ski-jump launching systems used on China’s first two carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. This technological leap significantly enhances the operational range and combat power of China’s naval aviation arm.
The activation of the Fujian marks a pivotal moment, signaling China’s commitment to building a blue-water navy capable of projecting power far beyond its coastal regions. This strategic addition places the PLAN among the world’s most capable maritime forces, inviting close scrutiny from international defense analysts focused on the evolving balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. As the carrier enters its final sea trial and training phases, its full strategic impact will soon be realized.