Reference News Network November 9 report, according to Japan's Mainichi Shimbun November 8 report, the Chinese Navy's new domestically built aircraft carrier Fujian was officially commissioned on November 5 in a military port in Sanya City, Hainan Province. This is China's third aircraft carrier and the first non-US aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapult systems.

The Fujian was launched in Shanghai in June 2022 and has undergone multiple sea trials. The aircraft carrier reflects China's desire to accelerate its strategy to contain US intervention.

Previously, the Chinese Navy maintained a dual-carrier configuration with the Liaoning and Shandong carriers. With an increase to three carriers, through a rotation mechanism of "mission, training, maintenance," it will be possible to maintain at least one carrier on deployment at all times. Chinese military experts emphasized to official media that this will provide critical support for the Chinese Navy's strategic transition from "coastal defense" to "far-sea defense."

The Fujian is about 320 meters long, with a full-load displacement exceeding 80,000 tons, making it the largest warship in the Chinese Navy. Its electromagnetic catapult system accelerates carrier-based aircraft using linear motors for takeoff. The previous two carriers used ski-jump decks, relying solely on the aircraft's own power for takeoff. Electromagnetic catapult technology had previously been exclusive to US nuclear-powered carriers.

The electromagnetic catapult system allows carrier-based aircraft to take off with more fuel and weapons. Another advantage is that it can adjust output power to accommodate various types of aircraft, including drones, for catapult takeoff. In September, the Chinese Navy released footage of fighter jets and early warning aircraft taking off using the electromagnetic catapult system.

According to the website of the Financial Times, November 7 report, China's third aircraft carrier was officially commissioned, enhancing China's military strength in the far seas.

Official media announced on the 7th that the Chinese leader attended the commissioning ceremony of the Fujian aircraft carrier held in Hainan on the 5th. This is the first aircraft carrier independently developed and built by China.

The commissioning of this aircraft carrier comes at a time when the People's Liberation Army is rapidly catching up with the US military, which has dominated the Indo-Pacific region since World War II.

This new aircraft carrier is similar to the US's latest "Gerald R. Ford"-class aircraft carriers, featuring three electromagnetic catapult systems to launch fighter jets, unlike the previous two carriers that used ski-jump decks to assist fighter jet takeoffs.

Differing from the "Ford"-class aircraft carriers that use nuclear power, the Fujian uses a conventional power system, which may limit its range.

China is building a top-tier military force capable of countering the US military to gain dominance in the "nearby regions" and project power further to safeguard its global interests.

China has set a goal to basically achieve the modernization of national defense and the armed forces by 2035, and to fully build a world-class people's army by the middle of this century.

Modern military technologies, including drone swarms and missiles designed to strike moving ships at sea, have made aircraft carriers vulnerable to attacks, weakening their long-standing central role in the US military. However, China views aircraft carriers as an important symbol of comprehensive national strength and considers them crucial for containing the US military's dominance in the Western Pacific waters and airspace.

The commissioning of the Fujian reflects the accelerated development of China's shipbuilding and naval operations.

In 1998, the People's Liberation Army purchased its first aircraft carrier, the "Varyag," which was the predecessor of the Liaoning, a Soviet-era unfinished hull that took over a decade to complete before being commissioned in 2012. The second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, was independently built domestically based on the design of the Liaoning and was commissioned at the end of 2019. (Translated by Guo Jun, Zhang Haibo)

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7570691710951440902/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the [Up/Down] buttons below.