Amid increasing tensions with the US in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, China's third domestically built aircraft carrier, Fujian, completed its first sea trial. The carrier left Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard and began its sea trial to ensure the reliability and stability of its propulsion and electrical systems, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Since its launch in June 2022, the Fujian passed mooring tests, equipment fitting, and adjustments, and passed the necessary technical requirements for sea trials. The tests came after China ordered traffic restrictions around the Yangtze River mouth, where the shipyard is located, citing "military activities" as the reason. With the restrictions to be in effect until May 9.
Beijing wants to boost its aircraft carrier fleet to five to six vessels by 2035 and to use them in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and the Indian Ocean to assert its territorial claims and to enhance its power projection. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy currently is involved in a fracas with Philippine naval vessels in the South China Sea over the Second Thomas Shoal.
The Fujian is named after Chinese provinces, along with the Liaoning and Shandong, China's fleet of aircraft carriers. The Liaoning was a refitted Soviet-era ship launched in 2012, and the Shandong, launched in 2019, was produced by China's own shipyards. The Fujian is touted as the first wholly domestically developed and built aircraft carrier, which includes an electromagnetic aircraft launch system similar to the USS Gerald R. Ford.
The Fujian is the largest of China's three carriers, at over 80,000 tonnes of displacement. The other two have ski-jump take-off ramps, while the Fujian has a flat-top flight deck. China operates its carriers with domestically produced J-15 aircraft.
The Chinese military doctrine has undergone significant revamping in the year 2013, emphasizing naval modernization over reduction of the troops, reflecting a Chinese ambition for global influence.
As part of its modernization attempts to increase its global reach, in addition to creating submarines, frigates, and assault ships, it also built several aircraft carriers.
China is reportedly producing about a naval ship per month. By supplying Pakistan with its most recent naval frigates and submarines, it is assisting Pakistan in modernising its fleet.
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