Beijing’s naval modernization efforts took a significant leap forward with the recent commissioning of the “Fujian,” China’s third domestically built aircraft carrier. The grand ceremony, attended by President Xi Jinping, underscored the vessel’s strategic importance. Notably, the “Fujian” represents a major milestone in indigenous shipbuilding, featuring entirely Chinese-developed systems, a departure from the Russian-influenced designs of its predecessors. With three operational carriers, China now numerically surpasses naval powers such as India, the United Kingdom, and Italy, though it still trails the United States, whose navy operates eleven such formidable assets.
The “Fujian” incorporates an advanced electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), a technology shared by only one other vessel globally, the USS Gerald R. Ford. This modern launch system provides a distinct advantage over traditional steam catapults, enabling the “Fujian” to launch heavier, fully loaded military aircraft, including critical early warning and control planes. Such capability significantly extends China’s power projection far beyond its coastal waters, reducing reliance on land-based surveillance and enhancing the range and payload capacity of its carrier-borne aircraft. Experts suggest this enhancement directly bolsters Beijing’s ability to assert its influence and project force in highly contested areas such as the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, where it directly confronts the naval presence of the U.S. and its allies.
China’s carrier development has evolved rapidly. Its first carrier, the “Liaoning,” originated as a Soviet-era hull acquired from Ukraine, while the second, the “Shandong,” was a domestically built vessel based on the “Liaoning”‘s design. Both were limited to launching fighter jets with lighter combat loads. The “Fujian,” however, signifies a qualitative shift. Its EMALS technology allows for the deployment of a wider array of aircraft, including new J-35 stealth fighters and heavy J-15T jets, offering greater operational flexibility compared to carriers reliant on older steam catapults, which typically require longer launch strips and more extensive maintenance cycles.
Despite these advanced features, the “Fujian” maintains a key distinction from its American counterparts: it is conventionally powered, unlike the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carriers. This means the “Fujian” has a finite operational range, estimated between 8,000 and 10,000 nautical miles, and requires periodic refueling, limiting its endurance. In stark contrast, American nuclear-powered carriers boast virtually unlimited operational ranges. Furthermore, while the “Fujian” displaces over 80,000 tons, it still falls short of the 100,000-ton behemoths like the U.S. Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford classes. While China has not disclosed the exact number of aircraft the “Fujian” can carry, analysts estimate it at 40 to 60, compared to the 60 to 70 combat aircraft typically carried by U.S. carriers.
Beijing’s naval ambitions are ambitious and clearly articulated. Chinese leaders and military strategists have outlined plans to modernize the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) by 2035 and achieve world-class status by mid-century. This long-term vision aims for a global naval presence, supported by an expanded carrier fleet and a network of overseas bases, ultimately aspiring to rival the United States’ maritime power. Cregg Polling, a U.S. naval expert, posits that China’s immediate goal is to establish naval dominance within the “first island chain” spanning the East, South China, and Yellow Seas, while simultaneously building capabilities to challenge American positions within the “second island chain,” which includes strategic locations like Guam.
These assessments of China’s naval expansion often serve as a backdrop for analysts advocating for increased appropriations for the U.S. Navy. However, tangible shifts in regional power dynamics continue to emerge. A notable development is the announcement that China will provide Pakistan with a jointly produced submarine in 2026. This collaboration effectively extends China’s naval reach into the Indian Ocean, an area historically dominated by India with strong U.S. support. This move signals a significant change in the regional balance of power, diminishing Washington’s traditional influence in this crucial maritime corridor.
Alexander Lukin, a leading scholar at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, observes that the Chinese military fleet far surpasses Russia’s and is second only to the United States. He highlights that while the PLAN is rapidly closing the technical gap with the U.S. Navy, its focus remains intensely concentrated on the South China Sea and Taiwan. Lukin also underscores how military cooperation with Pakistan strategically enhances China’s influence across South Asia. Nevertheless, he concludes that unlike the globally deployed U.S. Navy, the Chinese fleet has yet to establish a comprehensive worldwide presence.