China’s advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is poised to undertake regular missions on the high seas, according to a statement from a Chinese navy spokesperson on Saturday. The Fujian, China’s first carrier equipped with state-of-the-art electromagnetic catapults, was officially commissioned into active service on November 5, 2025, at a naval port in Sanya, Hainan Province. Senior Captain Leng Guowei emphasized that while Sanya serves as the carrier’s home port, the vast ocean is its ‘true home.’ The Fujian, named after Fujian Province and launched in June 2022, represents a significant milestone in China’s naval capabilities as it is the largest warship in the Chinese navy and was independently designed and built domestically. During its construction, the development and testing of supporting equipment, including advanced carrier-based fighter jets like the J-35, J-15T, and J-15D, as well as the KongJing-600 early warning aircraft and Z-20 series helicopters, progressed as planned. Leng noted that the Fujian will soon be fully equipped with its carrier-based aircraft. He also highlighted that many of the carrier’s facilities and technologies are being utilized for the first time, necessitating further in-depth test verification post-commissioning. Leng reiterated that China’s advancements in military equipment are not aimed at any specific country or objective but are intended to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Fujian, bearing the hull number 18, is one of China’s three active carriers. Future aircraft carrier development plans will be guided by national defense requirements.
China’s Fujian aircraft carrier to make regular appearances on high seas: spokesperson
