President Xi Jinping presided over the commissioning ceremony of the CNS Fujian, China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, at a naval base in Sanya, Hainan Province. The event marked a significant milestone in China’s naval capabilities, showcasing the nation’s advancements in military technology and maritime defense. President Xi, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, personally presented the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) flag to the carrier’s captain and political commissar. The ceremony was attended by 2,000 personnel, including Navy officers and defense contractors involved in the ship’s design and construction. Following the ceremony, President Xi inspected the Fujian, observing its flight deck, which featured advanced aircraft such as the J-35 stealth fighter jet and KJ-600 early-warning and control planes. He also engaged with pilots and crew, witnessing a demonstration of the electromagnetic catapult system, which he had personally approved for installation. The CNS Fujian, with a hull designation of 18, displaces over 80,000 metric tons, making it the largest warship ever built outside the United States. Designed by China State Shipbuilding Corp and constructed at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the Fujian underwent nine sea trials before its commissioning. Military experts highlighted the carrier’s strategic importance, emphasizing its enhanced capabilities in safeguarding national interests and its potential to operate longer and further than its predecessors. However, they also noted that continuous training and exercises would be essential to fully realize its combat potential.