Naval Spokesperson Answers Journalists' Questions on Fujian Ship's Commissioning
On November 5, China's first aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapult system, the Fujian Ship, was commissioned at a military port in Sanya, Hainan. On the afternoon of the 8th, Rear Admiral Leng Guowei, the spokesperson for the Chinese Navy, accepted interviews with journalists regarding the deployment location of the Fujian Ship, the configuration of its carrier-based aircraft, and China's aircraft carrier development plans.
When asked whether the Fujian Ship would be stationed at the Sanya military port, Leng Guowei said that the Fujian Ship is the largest vessel currently in service in the navy. Considering factors such as combat readiness, port conditions, support capabilities, and mission characteristics, the ship's permanent base is the Sanya military port. The crew of naval vessels often live on land but spend their time at sea. The vast open ocean is the true home of an aircraft carrier. In the future, the Fujian Ship will regularly appear on this grand stage.
Regarding when the Fujian Ship's carrier-based aircraft will be fully equipped, Leng Guowei said that carrier-based aircraft are the core of an aircraft carrier's combat capability. While the Fujian Ship was being built, the development and testing of accompanying equipment such as the J-35, J-15T, and J-15D carrier-based fighters, the KJ-600 fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft, and the Zhi-20 series carrier-based helicopters have been steadily progressing according to plan. As for when they can be fully deployed on the ship, he said he, like everyone else, is looking forward to it and believes it won't take long.
Regarding whether the Fujian Ship will continue to conduct trial voyages after its commissioning and when it will be able to form combat capability, Leng Guowei said that the Fujian Ship is China's first aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system, and it is a landmark equipment for the navy's transformation and leapfrog development. Many of its equipment and technologies are used for the first time in practice. After commissioning, the ship will continue to carry out in-depth trials and verification to further test the stability of the platform system. At the same time, it will arrange carrier-aircraft matching, formation training, and other planned activities to continuously enhance combat capability.
When answering questions about the next steps in China's aircraft carrier development plan, Leng Guowei said that China's development and improvement of weapons and equipment do not target any country or specific objectives, nor do they pose a threat to any country or region. They are entirely for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. As for the subsequent development plans for China's aircraft carriers, they will be comprehensively considered based on national defense needs. It should be emphasized that China's nature as a socialist state, its strategic choice of peaceful development, and its independent and peaceful foreign policy determine that China's defensive national defense policy remains unchanged.
"The naming of aircraft carriers has always been a topic of great interest to the outside world. Many netizens have voiced their opinions online, trying to secure the right to name a carrier for their province. Can you reveal which provinces have been included in the 'aircraft carrier naming list'?" Leng Guowei told the journalist that according to the relevant regulations for naming naval vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy, aircraft carriers are named after provincial administrative regions. During the naming process, the wishes of provinces, autonomous regions, and cities will also be taken into account, and the final decision will be approved by the Central Military Commission. Regarding the so-called "aircraft carrier naming list," there is no such list. If there are any new updates, the information will be shared with everyone as soon as possible."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848208831901772/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.