China Launches ‍Third Aircraft Carrier,⁣ Signaling Naval Power Ambitions

BEIJING -‍ November 7, 2025 ‍ – China has ⁣officially commissioned its ⁤third aircraft carrier, ‍the Fujian, marking a⁤ critically important milestone in the ⁢modernization of its⁣ navy and escalating strategic competition ‍in the Asia-Pacific region. the⁣ launch underscores Beijing‘s growing ⁢naval capabilities and its intent to⁣ project power ⁢further afield, ​though experts caution it will take years before⁤ the vessel reaches full combat readiness.

The ​ Fujian,which began sea‍ trials in May 2024,represents ‌a technological leap forward for China’s carrier programme. “No Western‍ contry, apart⁢ from the United States, operates an aircraft carrier of similar size and capabilities,” noted Alex Luck, a specialist in⁢ naval armaments, in a statement to AFP.‍

while ​the Fujian‘s deployment‍ is a symbolic achievement, analysts emphasize that China still lags behind‍ the United States in overall ⁣naval‌ experience. “The Chinese navy ‍remains behind its potential adversaries – in particular the United ⁢States – in terms ⁤of cumulative operational experience, training of carrier ⁣battle groups⁤ and,⁤ above all, experience of real combat,” ⁣explained Collin Koh, a naval issues specialist at the Nanyang ⁢Technological University ​in Singapore.‍ He ⁣identified this lack of combat experience as a “major handicap.”

Currently, ⁣the ‌ Fujian is expected to primarily serve as‍ a platform for training and exercises, rather than long-range power projection. “China has not used its ‌aircraft‍ carriers ⁤to project power over long distances, and Fujian is unlikely to change this dynamic,” Luck stated. He⁣ anticipates the ship will be utilized‌ to “continue testing” and “draw new⁢ lessons for future” aircraft carriers,‌ perhaps ⁢including ⁤exercises near Taiwan, which Beijing claims as a province.

China’s naval expansion has raised⁣ concerns among⁢ regional neighbors and Washington,⁣ notably regarding⁣ activity in the South China Sea and around ‌taiwan. Beijing maintains its military policy is “defensive” ⁣and focused on safeguarding its sovereignty.

Rumors persist ‍of a⁢ fourth aircraft carrier currently under⁣ construction, potentially entering service ⁤in the early 2030s,‍ further ⁢solidifying China’s ambitions to become a dominant naval force. The commissioning of the Fujian represents​ a decades-long investment in modernizing the People’s Liberation Army ⁢Navy, aligning with⁢ China’s growing economic and diplomatic influence on the world stage.