China's first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier, the Fujian, embarked on its sea trials on May 1, as announced by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and reported by the state news agency.
This marks a significant milestone as it is the inaugural navigation test for the third and the largest-ever aircraft carrier in the Navy’s inventory.
The sea trials aim to validate the reliability and stability of the carrier's propulsion and electric power systems.
Initially launched on June 17, 2022, the Fujian underwent outfitting at the Jiangnan Shipyard on Changxing Island, adjacent to the city of Shanghai.
As the PLAN's first Type 003-class warship, the Fujian represents China's inaugural catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR)-configured aircraft carrier, boasting a full load displacement of over 80,000 tons.
Distinguished by three electromagnetic catapults, akin to the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), the Fujian exemplifies China's technological prowess in naval aviation.
The advancement of the Fujian is a crucial component of President Xi Jinping's efforts to bolster China's military influence in the region, aiming for a formidable navy capable of operating far from the nation's shores.
These sea trials mark the final stage before the aircraft carrier is officially incorporated into China's naval fleet, a process anticipated to span around a year. Similar trials were conducted nine times for the Shandong before its commissioning.
This testing occurs amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, highlighted by an incident where China's coast guard reportedly utilized water cannons against two vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Despite an international tribunal's 2016 ruling invalidating China's extensive territorial claims in the region, Beijing persists in asserting sovereignty over this zone and approximately 90% of the South China Sea.
According to China Daily, the sea trials of the Fujian serve to evaluate the reliability and stability of its propulsion and electric power systems, underscoring China's ongoing efforts to enhance its naval capabilities.
The Chinese newspaper hailed this development as symbolic, stating, "As an important symbol of the navy's transformation and a representative of new-quality combat forces, since the reform and strengthening of the military, the navy's aircraft carrier force has accelerated its transformation and construction to improve its combat capabilities. From scratch, from one to three, we have explored a growth trajectory for aircraft carrier force construction with Chinese characteristics."
