China officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, this week in a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing military ambitions.

The cutting-edge warship, equipped with electromagnetic catapults and advanced launch systems, represents China’s boldest step yet toward building a world-class blue-water navy.

The Fujian’s commissioning ceremony took place in Hainan province on Wednesday, where President Xi presented the navy flag and toured the vessel, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

The carrier — China’s largest and most sophisticated to date — features a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults, a leap forward from the ski-jump ramps used by the country’s earlier carriers, Liaoning and Shandong.

The Fujian’s design allows it to carry more and heavier-armed aircraft, making it a potentially formidable rival to U.S. and Western carrier groups operating in the Indo-Pacific.

Advanced capabilities and sea trials

During sea trials before its commissioning, the Chinese navy successfully launched its J-35 stealth fighter, KJ-600 early-warning aircraft, and a catapult-based variant of the J-15 fighter. These operations highlight China’s push to integrate next-generation aviation technology into its naval strategy.

Chinese officials have called the Fujian a “milestone” achievement, underscoring its role in advancing the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)’s modernization drive.

At the ceremony, the Fujian’s crew pledged loyalty to the Communist Party, chanting: “Obey the Party’s command, be able to fight and win, maintain exemplary conduct.”

Despite the ceremony’s grandeur, defense analysts caution that the Fujian may not reach full operational capability for at least another year.

“They are working with almost entirely new platforms top to bottom,” said Ben Lewis, founder of open-source intelligence platform PLATracker, noting that the ship has undergone nine sea trials since May 2024.

Collin Koh, a Singapore-based defense expert, said footage from recent exercises shows J-15s launching unarmed, indicating the tests are still in early phases.

The deployment of the KJ-600 aircraft is also seen as a critical step in improving China’s carrier-based early-warning and surveillance capabilities, potentially extending its operational range far beyond its coastal waters.

Strategic implications and regional impact

Since commissioning its first carrier, the Liaoning, in 2012, China has been cautious in carrier deployments, using them largely as training and testing platforms. However, recent voyages east of Japan and toward Guam suggest a more assertive posture is emerging.

While the Fujian’s diesel-fueled engines limit its endurance compared to U.S. nuclear-powered carriers, analysts say it still marks a major expansion of China’s naval reach. The ship would require refueling after approximately 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km) — a considerable range but still short of global blue-water capability.

The Pentagon’s 2024 report on China’s military modernization noted that the Fujian and future carriers will enhance Beijing’s ability to project military power, including deploying specialized electronic warfare and anti-submarine aircraft.

“This will increase the striking power of a potential People’s Liberation Army Navy carrier battle group when deployed beyond China’s immediate periphery,” the report stated.

Analysts also believe the Fujian will play a strong domestic propaganda role, symbolizing China’s technological progress and national pride. Koh added that the carrier may soon feature in exercises near Taiwan, though its practical role in a potential conflict remains uncertain.

“This is potentially a game changer for China,” Koh said, “but there are still many capabilities they need to test and refine — including how it would actually be used in a Taiwan scenario.”